The overriding feeling after yet another game slipped through our fingers is that we need far more from our wingers.

It feels like we have thrown away six points in less than a week, first against Bristol City and now Derby on Friday night.

The crazy five-minute spell immediately after half-time ultimately cost us, but if we show more threat in the final third, we don't give sides the chance to get back into the game. The same could be said of the Bristol City defeat.

I don't think it's a coincidence that our most effective attacking outlet in those areas has been Gaizka Larrazabal, who has been a fantastic find but not a trademark winger.

If we are to be successful, we need more from Kyliane Dong, Thierry Gale and Samuel Iling Junior, whether that's through goals or assists.

I'd also like to see them take defenders on down the outside more often, rather than constantly cutting inside.

At times, that is making us too predictable in the final third and allowing opposition defenders to deal with us more comfortably.

For all the discussion around our attacking shortcomings though, it is defensively where I feel the biggest improvements are needed.

For several weeks now, we've been conceding goals that look almost identical. I feel like I'm watching the same move unfold time and again, yet we seem unable to find a way of stopping it.

Teams are finding it far too easy to get down either flank before cutting the ball back across the box for a simple finish. Ironically, it's the move we're struggling to produce ourselves.

Friday was a real sickener because it felt as though we had been the better side but came away with nothing.

However, we also need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

We remain seven points clear of the relegation places and, given the squad at our disposal and the budget we are operating on, I would argue we are around where we should be, if not slightly ahead of expectations.

That doesn't mean we can afford to become complacent, particularly with teams around us starting to pick up points. We need to make sure our position remains comfortable.

One positive looking ahead is that our next three opponents should offer us opportunities to play to our strengths.

We're more comfortable against sides who come at us and leave space to exploit.

The statistics certainly point towards that, with just one win from seven games in which we have had more possession.