The Highlanders have slumped to their second loss in as many games, and their only points in the Super 15 have come courtesy of four points from a bye.
They were comprehensively outplayed by the Cheetahs in Invercargill on Saturday night, losing 36-19, after trailing 30-7 at halftime.
Joseph said his side did not play much rugby in the first 20 minutes and gifted the Cheetahs too many points.
''In the first 20 minutes, we had not even thrown a punch. In terms of our game management and patience it was lacking,'' he said.
''We prepared well but we made some big mistakes in the first half. We created their points and you just cannot do that at this level.
''In the first half, we were in too much of a hurry to score off the first or second phase and one or two guys will have learnt greatly off that. I think, for a couple of guys, that is an experience thing, but you have to learn the lesson, really.
''I'm not panicking. I don't know how many games we have left but there is a few.''
Highlanders first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga was subbed off before halftime after a forgettable opening period, kicking the ball out on the full from the kick-off twice, and making some average options.
But Joseph said Sopoaga would not be alone in being disappointed with his own performance.
''So will Horey [Andrew Hore] and Hosea [Gear] and they are our captain and vice-captain. We are joined together, so we have to mourn together.''
The Highlanders struggled to dominate any area of the game on Saturday and failed to find a gap in a watertight Cheetahs defence.
One of the Highlanders' biggest attacking weapons, second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu, did not even take the field, a swollen knee scuttling his chances of a run in Invercargill. His knee swelled up a couple of days before the game and did not get any better so he was scratched.
Joseph said they erred on the side of caution with Nonu.
''It is a long season and putting him on with not being 100% would have been a bad decision for us. We have to roll with that. Everyone has their fair share of injuries.''
But the casualty ward is bulging in midfield. Nonu's replacement, Shaun Treeby, tore a hamstring and is unlikely for Friday night's game against the Hurricanes.
With Tamati Ellison sidelined with a shoulder injury until June at the earliest, the midfield stocks consist of Phil Burleigh and youngster Jason Emery.
Nonu's knee will be assessed in the next couple of days to see if he will front against the Hurricanes.
All of a sudden, the Highlanders -who in the last few seasons have started with a flourish before running out of steam - are looking at a season where they will have to come from behind to make an impact.
The Hurricanes will come to Forsyth Barr Stadium with confidence after a 29-28 win over the Crusaders on Friday night, their first win of the season.
The Chiefs suffered their first loss of the season, beaten 36-34 on the road by the Stormers. The Sharks beat the Kings 21-12 in a drab affair, the Brumbies smashed the Waratahs 35-6, and the Reds beat the Rebels 23-13.
Yesterday afternoon the Blues fell to the Bulls 28-21 at Eden Park.
