Preston North End's Paul Gallagher was honest in his assessment of PNE's 2-0 defeat this evening.
The Lilywhites tasted defeat for the first time in the league in 2017 with goals from Peter Whittingham and Kenneth Zohore securing victory for the hosts at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Following the conclusion of tonight's game, Gallagher was disappointed in the manner of the loss just as much as the result itself when he spoke to PNEPlayerHD.
"We were second best all over the pitch," said Gallagher.
"It's not like us as we usually start on the front foot but we can't keep giving teams a goal head start and trying to come back.
"We've done that for the last few weeks but you can't keep relying on that. When we score the first goal we're a difficult team to play against. We've got to dust ourselves down and go again."
The visitors fell behind in the 18th minute when Whittinhgam slotted home from the spot after Daniel Johnson was adjudged to have fouled Junior Hoilett inside the area.
The Bluebirds doubled their advantage before the break when Zohore lifted the ball past Maxwell following a Cardiff counter attack, ultimately inflicting defeat on Simon Grayson's side.
The result means North End are beaten for the first time in six games, and although the PNE midfielder acknowledged the impressive run, Gallagher was far from happy with tonight's defeat, and wants PNE to emulate a similar run going into the month of February.
He continued:" I think it's been about three defeats in 19 games so we need to get back on that kind of run and the only way by doing that is by going back to basics and being hard to play against and that needs to start against Barnsley.
"If you give anyone a one goal head start it's difficult. We gave away a cheap penalty and we weren't at the races, we were second best all over.
"We need to get back to being hard to play against. When we keep clean sheets we are a good team but tonight wasn't acceptable; it's a long journey home for us, and the supporters.
"There was some stern words at half-time and we knew it wasn't good enough. We came out second-half better with a few chances at their goal but we needed to take them chances. It was disappointing to go in at half-time 2-0 down but we gifted them the goals.
"Lucky for us, we've got a game in the next four days so we want to put it right on Saturday."
Following the conclusion of tonight's game, Gallagher was disappointed in the manner of the loss just as much as the result itself when he spoke to PNEPlayerHD.
"We were second best all over the pitch," said Gallagher.
"It's not like us as we usually start on the front foot but we can't keep giving teams a goal head start and trying to come back.
"We've done that for the last few weeks but you can't keep relying on that. When we score the first goal we're a difficult team to play against. We've got to dust ourselves down and go again."
The visitors fell behind in the 18th minute when Whittinhgam slotted home from the spot after Daniel Johnson was adjudged to have fouled Junior Hoilett inside the area.
The Bluebirds doubled their advantage before the break when Zohore lifted the ball past Maxwell following a Cardiff counter attack, ultimately inflicting defeat on Simon Grayson's side.
The result means North End are beaten for the first time in six games, and although the PNE midfielder acknowledged the impressive run, Gallagher was far from happy with tonight's defeat, and wants PNE to emulate a similar run going into the month of February.
He continued:" I think it's been about three defeats in 19 games so we need to get back on that kind of run and the only way by doing that is by going back to basics and being hard to play against and that needs to start against Barnsley.
"If you give anyone a one goal head start it's difficult. We gave away a cheap penalty and we weren't at the races, we were second best all over.
"We need to get back to being hard to play against. When we keep clean sheets we are a good team but tonight wasn't acceptable; it's a long journey home for us, and the supporters.
"There was some stern words at half-time and we knew it wasn't good enough. We came out second-half better with a few chances at their goal but we needed to take them chances. It was disappointing to go in at half-time 2-0 down but we gifted them the goals.
"Lucky for us, we've got a game in the next four days so we want to put it right on Saturday."