This has been a productive week and one from which we can take great heart as, after two very hard games, we have finally lifted ourselves off the bottom.

Saturday saw us go to Hillsborough in a potential six-pointer and come away with a very good point. To have lost would have been a disaster but in all honesty we felt we should have won it as we had better chances and played the classic away team scenario, and it almost paid off until they equalised in the last minute to leave us feeling a little disappointed.

But, after Tuesday's game, it has proved a good result as against Ipswich I felt we definitely deserved to win on chances created. Granted, they had the majority of possession but without really hurting us. We knew this was going to happen and we hurt them with quick incisive counter-attacks and on another night we could have scored four.

A special mention must go to the Golden Child (Bobby Zamora), who was outstanding throughout and got a thoroughly deserved goal. So with honours even, we're off the baseline.

I'd also like to add that we as a squad understand some of the fans' frustrations when they see teams coming to the Withdean and having the lion's share of possession and, at times, us not keeping it as well as we should.

But you must realise that some of these teams are ex-Premiership with current internationals who are going to be technically better. But we are working very hard to compete with these and are now really finding our feet.

So we need you to be a little patient and continue to get behind the team as we are all pulling together for the common goal of First Division survival.

Well, last week saw us do the four-and-a-half hour journey to Sheffield. Everyone brought CDs and DVDs only to find out we'd been downgraded to the 'Flying Pickets' tour bus with no mod cons, so Will was despatched to get some videos.

He, however, came back with 'Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter' and got a right verbal hammering, as it's arguably the worst film in history.

However, Robbie Pethick and Will loved it, as one found someone worst dressed than himself and the other someone with bigger gnashers than his.

Also the beverages were down to a minimum, with only one tea bag which the driver kept for the gaffer. However, that was mysteriously stolen. Now, I'm not a grass, but Paul Watson was dunking Hob Nobs into a lovely cup of Earl Grey.

Now it's been brought to my attention that we have a few players who bear a striking resemblance to famous popstars, and some are very touchy about it.

The obvious ones are John 'Kajagoogoo' Keeley, and Nathan 'Enrique' Jones, but we also have Bob 'Spender' Booker, Paul 'Darius' Kitson, and Rick 'Astley' Carpenter and, because of his barnet, Michel 'Jacko' Kuipers. Now Michel takes things in good humour, but he's chewed a bit on this one. So I'll not say too much as 'I don't want to be starting something' as it could go 'off the wall'. But if he doesn't believe me, he's got to look at 'the man in the mirror'.

On the subject of music, a few of the squad went to see Oasis on Wednesday night, and what a great night it was, with tax dodgers, beards and Parka jackets the order of the evening.

At first, I thought it was a Paul Brooker theme night and then I was invited to sing a duet with Liam but I had to decline, as I only do The Drifters and the odd Human League number.

And finally, the Brazilians' (reserves) great run came to an end with their 1-0 defeat to Norwich.

Apparently, the freezing conditions did not suit the Samba beat but Dave Lee assures me that he was again quality. And Blunkett (Dean White) once again drowned his sorrows with a bargain bucket and a few shovels of coleslaw.

Saturday December 14