COMMITTED and whole-hearted are two words that would generally be used to describe Lucas Neill, one who you can guarantee will give 100 per cent every game.

But unfortunately I have to add the words stupid and irresponsible to those two after his two-footed tackle on Jamie Carragher in the Liverpool game that led to his deserved sending off.

With that one foolish act he cost us the chance of three points in what, at the time, was a hugely entertaining game being played at a ferocious pace.

To do such a thing after less than 15 minutes robbed us all of watching what was building up towards a classic.

He let his manager, his team-mates and the fans down and I wonder if all those that clapped him off the pitch would do the same after seeing the replay on TV and on hearing that he had actually broken Carragher's leg?

It's not just the challenge that angers me so much, it was the fact that he protested his innocence so vehemently.

But it was satisfying that, after the match, Souness didn't 'do a Wenger' and actually said that the sending off was justified.

I only hope that Neill feels suitably embarrassed and remorseful for his actions and I'd also like to think that he has been suitably punished by the club.

It's his third sending off in just over two seasons and he is consistently our worst offender when it comes to bookings.

There is obviously a problem there, and one that needs to be addressed. I know any team under Souness aren't going to be shrinking violets but the situation changes when one player's indiscipline actually starts costing the team points as was the case on Saturday.

Analysis of the Liverpool game is difficult following the sending off but at least we dug in and fought until the inevitable happened and we conceded.

The remaining ten players deserve a lot of credit for that.

But it's another home defeat and for all our good attacking play so far this season our defence still looks vulnerable to any ball played into the heart of it.

We are hesitant and ponderous and I am starting to think that maybe the four different spoken languages are a problem.

There have been too many times when a lack of communication has been evident and has led to a chance for the opposition.

It's definitely something to work at on the training ground because a good defence has to play as a unit and that certainly isn't happening at the moment.

Maybe the boys need to learn what 'Get rid!' means in Slovakian.

Five games gone, five points gained. Not a statistic to be proud of, or so you would think.

The reality of it is that we have the same return as we had at this stage last season and I think we are creating more this term. If only we could sort out that defence.