[Sam the Sham]

Just the best of Starfleet.

I'm certain there were lots of small patrol and recon craft left. Just the biggest ships of the line were destroyed.

[LdSentinal]

It could be that just as many ships that can be found in such a short time to set up a counter-attack after Picard was captured.

They just sent the Enterprise for that reason in Star Trek: TMO.