SKIPPER Tommy Elphick insists Cherries must rediscover their defensive mean streak as they attempt to buck a worrying trend of conceding leads.

Eddie Howe’s men have taken just two points from their past five games in the Championship, surrendering a 1-0 advantage on three occasions.

Cherries shipped an injury-time equaliser against Rotherham six days ago before failing to build on Andrew Surman’s early opener during the midweek defeat by Leeds.

Elphick told the Daily Echo: “Something is going wrong and we seem to be taking a backward step after we have gone 1-0 in front rather than managing the game and seeing it out. It has happened three times now and that is too many.

“When we went 1-0 up last season, we would take it on and move forward. It shouldn’t be a confidence thing because we have nothing to fear at this level but it is a concern and we need to put it right.

“I think there is a combination of things. We seem to be getting punished for every chance we concede at the moment. You can’t really point too many fingers at people, it is the league we are in and it is ruthless.

“I would like to think we could score more goals after we have gone are 1-0 up but, unfortunately, that isn’t happening for us at the moment so we need to tighten up. We did it well against Brentford and Huddersfield but haven’t followed through.

“We haven’t gained as many points as we would have liked at this stage but it is a long journey and there will be plenty more opportunities to get points on the board.”

Elphick added: “We have got our success through passing and keeping the ball. When you break things down and look at the games when we have been in front and not won, we have gone into protective mode and probably dropped a too deep.

“Ultimately, we have stopped playing. We need to be brave on the ball when we are 1-0 up and remember that is what brought us success in the first place. That was more the case against Rotherham when we stopped passing the ball and let them back in.”

Cherries will be hoping to get back on track when they face Watford tomorrow, with Vicarage Road the scene of a 6-1 defeat for Howe’s men in their first away game last season. The clash is being shown live on Sky Sports (12.15pm kick-off).

Elphick, who sat out against the Hornets 13 months ago, said: “I think you have to say we have come a long way since then.

"You can tell by the way teams are setting up against us, they are trying to frustrate us, stay in the game and hit us on the break and with set-pieces.

"They are giving us a lot more respect and we are finding it harder to perhaps create as many opportunities as we did last season.

“Watford are another good footballing team so it is doing to be down to who keeps the ball the best and who takes their chances. It is going to be another tricky game.

"Every team poses a different threat and style and the beauty of football is that we have another opportunity to put it right.”