The Dutchman told his club’s website: “Our results and performances over Christmas could have been worse, but they could have been better too.
“I feel we are going in the right direction, but it was disappointing to see our first-half performance (against Liverpool). Aston Villa was good on Boxing Day, and I still think we should have picked up three points at Portsmouth.
“When you concede a soft goal like we did against Liverpool and Portsmouth, through giving the ball away, you mostly get punished. We have talked about it, and when you lose the ball you must be more decisive and get one or two tackles in to get the ball back.
“We didn’t do that. It is about us, and we are still learning.
“We have great talents. For example, I would not swap Tom Huddlestone for anyone else in England at the moment – but we’ve got to learn, be better and tougher in the tackle.
“I am not satisfied with our return over the Christmas period, but not too disappointed either.”
