Richard Stearman: Wolves were naive at Cardiff

The 2-1 loss dropped Paul Lambert's team closer to the Championship relegation zone.

Wolves have won just one of their past 12 matches and face a crucial few weeks on and off the field with the transfer window soon to reopen.

Stearman accepted that Tuesday's defeat to fellow strugglers Cardiff just wasn't good enough.

"If we play with that nativity and we have a lack of men out there we're going to concede goals and not pick up the points that maybe some of our play deserves," he said.

"That's why we find ourselves near the bottom of the league.

"It really hurt, very much so. We were gutted we didn't at least got a draw – we've really got to see those games out if we want to do anything in this division.

"We've got to learn quickly how to see games out. You saw how Cardiff did it. It's very frustrating to play against and it's something we need to learn.

"We knew their game plan would be to put the ball in the box – it's not pretty but that's obviously the way they're going.

"I felt we were a little bit naive, we gave away too many free kicks and throw-ins. Ultimately it's cost us."

Wolves signed 13 players last summer but Lambert has repeatedly spoken of yet more players needing to be signed in January.

Does Stearman feel there are enough characters in the squad to get over Tuesday's crushing defeat?

"We'll find out on Saturday," he said. "Whoever's on the pitch you'll see it yourselves.

"There are a lot of new faces, a lot of boys that maybe haven't got Championship experience that I think is vital, especially coming into the winter games. Going to places like Cardiff you've got to show real balls out there. If you don't you concede goals.

"It's ruthless, it's dog eat dog and if you're not up to the challenge you don't succeed.

"We go again on Saturday, we try and learn from our mistakes. It'll be another tough game. We've got to start picking up points quickly."