GRAEME Le Saux felt Saints showed their spirit against Blackburn on Saturday - but admits that defensively there is room for improvement.

Four goals have been conceded in the first two matches, with the back four so far looking more shaky than last season when Saints boasted one of the best defensive records in the whole Premiership.

Le Saux said the defence would be analysing each goal in a bid to recapture the solid foundation which has so underlined the team in recent seasons.

"We said after the game that we had conceded four in two games and we've looked at the goals against Villa and we think there are things we could do to prevent the goals," said Le Saux.

"There's always blame when a goal is conceded.

"But we're playing against very good players and if there is any weakness it gives them an opportunity to score.

"Whether it's the defence or the midfield and the defence, we have to work that out."

Paul Telfer replaced Jason Dodd at right-back on Saturday, but otherwise the back four was unchanged, with Claus Lundekvam playing despite a small fracture on his cheek.

"Claus Lundekvam had a very physical game last Wednesday where he had stitches in the first half and broke a cheekbone in the second," said Le Saux.

"But it sums up the players here that he felt he could play, even when there was an element of anxiety surrounding the injury."

All the talk before Saturday's 3-2 victory surrounded the future of manager Paul Sturrock, but as one of the club's most experienced players Le Saux felt the team had demonstrated their professionalism.

"The speculation around the manager is speculation," he said.

"We have a very settled club here. There's never been much controversy or negative paper talk round the club. It's a shame that so early in the season people are talking about that.

"It's a shame, because we've got a great team spirit here and great unity between us.

"But we've won the game and hopefully that says we're professional enough not to be distracted.

"You should judge the performance on merit. Blackburn looked like they would win the game 2-1 but I'm sure it was a good spectacle for the spectators."

Le Saux gave a typically whole-hearted performance on the left and enjoyed a real second-half tussle with Paul Dickov, as well as a frank exchange of views with Blackburn manager Graeme Souness. "I don't know anyone who doesn't have a good contest with Paul Dickov," he smiled.

"He worked very hard and was pulling us around, both physically and with his runs. Graeme (Souness) got a bit carried away but I know him very well and it's fine.

"It was very exciting and a very good first-half performance from us. I thought we controlled the game and settled down after early nerves hanging over from being beaten last week.

"We deserved to go in 1-0 up but Blackburn deserve credit for the way they approached the second half and took advantage.

"From being comfortable to being 2-1 down and having lost the last game there was a certain amount of pressure on us to come back."