Let's not beat around the bush. It has been a bad week.

A comprehensive thrashing at Wigan and then a disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of First Division Preston.

But we won't get too downhearted despite the fact that we have not performed to our usual standard in either defeat.

After losing to Wigan I read David O'Leary's latest book "A million and one lame excuses for losing a football match", but I couldn't come up with any reason to explain why the experienced centre-half played like a big girl's blouse! Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up, admit your mistakes and try to put it right in the next match.

While we won't be making excuses for our poor performances we also won't change our outlook - there will still be plenty of smiles and laughs.

The unusual and new room pairing of Danny Cullip and young Virgs provided the jokes on the Wigan trip. As you might expect Danny ruled the roost in that particular room and Virgs had to watch his step. When Danny went for a bath Virgs took the opportunity to change the channel on the television only for Danny to shout from behind the door "Oi, what you doing, turn that television back over now, I'm still watching it!" Virgs even had to ask to go to the toilet.

Danny is now known as "Grouty" after the character who was the main man on the prison row in Ronnie Barker's Porridge programme. You can just imagine Danny lying on his bed wearing his smoking jacket listening to classical music while Virgs feeds him Belgian truffles - just like Grouty!

Somebody installed a revolving door on the changing room last week. A big welcome is due to new boy, David Lee, a welcome new member to the M23 express.

There has been movement the other way too as the Haywards Heath posse has taken a battering. Wicksy packed her skirts and tights into a suitcase and headed north to Hull. All the lads wish him well. Dirk spent a few days back in Scotland with Motherwell and Pingu Pitcher also seems likely to be on the move back into non-league circles.

The lads have once again proved their ability to improvise in one of the gaffer's training sessions. The task was to finish a skill exercise by naming a different film each time. Peth started the fun by naming The Good, the Bad and the Gaffer! From then on the lads fitted a film to suit another player's characteristics. So it was Pinocchio for Peth, Golden Child for Bobby Z, Jaws for Will Packham and Cocoon 1 and 2 for Dodge and me. Steeley was Shrek and Revenge of the Nerds for Bozzie.

It seems as though there have been reports of unidentified flying objects high in the sky over the Worthing area on Wednesday evenings. I can now reveal the real reason for this and allay any worries the local residents may have. The objects are in fact Virgs defensive clearances during the reserve games at Worthing. Wigan were so impressed with his performance at the JJB Stadium last week that he was offered a two-year contract with Wigan Warriors!

Chippy is the recipient of the first quote of the week award of the year. He was talking about our two consecutive defeats and commented how "it left a nasty smell in the mouth!" We know what you meant Chippy!

Finally, I have to say a few words of sympathy for young Will Packham. He has worked so hard for his chance and for it to end with a mistake as it did was really disappointing. When I made a couple of errors at Wigan I was thankful that Rolls spared my blushes with superb saves.

Goalkeepers don't have that luxury - a mistake is a goal. But Will is a hard-working lad with a great character and he will bounce back. Apart from the mistake he did well and his kicking was certainly strong. Ask the club, he cost them a fortune in matchballs!