RORY DELAP is taking the blame for Brentford's crucial first-goal and admitted: "The defence has to be stronger."

Saints were caught out as Isaiah Rankin was sent clear down Brentford's left to make it 2-1 with a superb finish minutes before half-time.

Harry Redknapp played an attacking formation with just three out-and-out midfielders, meaning Delap, playing at right-back for the second game running, was receiving precious little protection.

But the Irishman was typically honest in his assessment of the goal.

He said: "I got forward a few times, but I'm disappointed because it was my fault for the first goal. I let him get in behind me and I've got to learn.

"It was my mistake for the first and we have got to cut them out. I shouldn't have let him play the ball inside me."

The lack of a genuine right-midfielder allowed January transfer window signing Henri Camara to frequently join Kevin Phillips and Peter Crouch in attack.

"Henri Camara scored twice and he has done what he is in the team to do," said Delap.

"I was prepared for the fact he would attack and if he scores two you don't mind him not getting back.

"His strike record so far is tremendous. If we can keep presenting him with chances then all the better.

"He has got the pace and the skill."

Delap, above, is still adjusting to his new role at right-back having played most of the season in the centre of midfield.

He had previously played as a right wing-back while at Derby under Saints assistant manager Jim Smith and said: "I'm working hard in training on playing the position. I'm enjoying it in training and in games and I will do it to the best of my ability.

"It's great playing alongside Claus (Lundekvam), he covers behind you well.

"But the defence as a whole have got to be stronger and you can bring the midfielders and the forwards into that."

Delap believes concentration is the key to getting clean sheets.

He said: "I don't know if you can put confidence into conceding goals. You have just got to mark your men, it's concentration conceding goals.

"The confidence part of it is when you have got the ball. We have got to concentrate harder, it's little mistakes that are costly at the moment and we have got to cut that out."

Previewing tomorrow's trip to West Brom, Delap said: "It will be a massive game, there will be a lot of pressure on it.

"We have got to get a result.

"We've got quite a few games coming. There will be no problem as far as fitness is concerned - we've just got to go out there and do our job."