Alex Neil branded his Sunderland side as 'naive' for the way they conceded against Burton Albion.
The Black Cats boss saw his side snatch a point with an injury-time equaliser from Ross Stewart, but there was no hiding his disappointment in the performance.
Neil is still waiting for his first win since taking charge, having overseen two draws and a defeat so far.
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"We changed the shape and had an extra defender at the back behind the ball to make sure we didn't get countered on, but we still got countered on," he said.
"That was extremely frustrating because you're hoping that by putting that extra number there, you can safeguard against that.
"Some of our decision-making and some of our quality tonight really let us down.
"In the first 30 minutes the balance of our play was good, but then one moment changed the momentum of the game - their striker took the ball, turned it round the corner, they got in behind us and apart from the lad's poor touch it could have been a real problem for us.
"That changed the momentum completely.
"I don't know whether it is the youthfulness in the squad, I don't know if it is not coping with those moments, but we just don't react well.
"It's frustrating because we probably had ten moments and they had one, and it was their one that changed the trajectory of the match.
"Their goal summed it up. We collected the ball, punted it up, we had five-vs-three in our own half and within two passes they got a strike at our goal.
"It's absolute naivete, and it's something we have to improve.
"We don't do the basics well enough, it really is as simple as that.
"If we can do the basics better, we will give ourselves an opportunity and a chance."
Neil has said several times since taking over that the squad he inherited contained too many young players who have played too many games, but he does not have players who can come in to give them a rest.
He said: "We need something to break this pattern.
"We've got a lot of younger lads who have played a hell of a lot of football - and when I say that, I mean this year because a lot of them haven't even reached 50 games in their career, and there's a lot of demands on them in terms of winning games to get us up the league.
"I managed to rest Dan Neil tonight because he fits into that category, but I'm heavy-loaded in that area so I can afford to do it.
"There are other areas on the pitch where there are no other players, so what I will probably end up doing if I do decide to change it is putting square pegs in round holes - and that is a problem in itself.
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"But the way some of the lads are looking, it's something I am going to need to consider."
On-loan Manchester City centre-back Callum Doyle is one of those who looks fatigued, and Neil said: ""Callum is probably number one on the list, but the simple fact is that he is the only left-footed centre-back that we've got.
"The kid has played far too much football, there's been far too much reliance on him.
"He will be a very good player, but it is extremely difficult for him at the moment."
The game was delayed by almost an hour due to a medical emergency in the stand, with play suspended just a few minutes after kick-off.
The supporter was worked on at length by medical staff before he was eventually moved.
Neil said: "It certainly had a big impact on the night, but I'm not going to use that as an excuse for the game.
"First and foremost, our thoughts are with the lad that it happened to and his family.
"There's nothing worse than when the game is going on and something happens to one of your own.
"There's a helplessness to it, because there's just nothing you can do.
"I don't know what the outcome is at the moment, but we send our best wishes."
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