If you find yourself in a game where you are trailing a two or three or even four pawns behind there is no reason to worry too much. The number of pawns that you have as compared to your opponent is not as important as how your pawns are situated. It is important to think ahead a few moves when playing chess and to look at how the various scenarios of the next few moves may play out. Once you have carefully considered your options, try to keep your pawns grouped together.
Having one island of pawns, or one connected group of pawns, is much more significant than having the most pawns. Consider a player who has more pawns, but has possibly three different islands of two pawns each. This player is not as strong in his pawn defense as one who is able to keep four or five pawns in one single island. The defensive capabilities of pawns are well known. As you have seen when playing chess, a player who has a large single group of connected pawns can severely limit the number of possible moves for his or her opponents primary pieces. These connected pawns are able to defend each other and slowly advance to your opponent's side of the board.
Pawns are not the most powerful pieces on the board by any means, but as a group pawns can be a real thorn in the side of your opponent. When you keep your pawns working together as a team, complimenting one another, then the pawns are able to limit the opposition. Take care in your opening strategy and your middle game so that you do not create multiple small islands of pawns for yourself.