It wasn't the defence it was attackers (forwards or midfield) which were needed.
Goals conceded - up to 23 December
First 23 games - 23
Last 23 games - 25
Goals scored - up to 23 December
First 23 games - 39
Last 23 games - 32
As for wins - you say we won 'around 3' - we actually won 9
I've used 23 December as it makes it easy to compare (half the season). Even if you take it from after the transfer window closed it was 7 wins - pretty poor but more than twice your figure!