MONDAY: Boss Peter Taylor backs his troops to respond to their first League defeat of his reign at Wigan.

He says: "It was our fourth game out of five away and we've won one, drawn two and lost one which isn't drastic.

"The players were very disappointed with the performance apart from the first ten minutes. They've had a tremendous run and they should be proud of it. They will bounce back."

TUESDAY: Albion bow out of the FA Cup, beaten 2-0 by Preston at Withdean in their delayed third round tie.

Frenchman Eric Skora opens the scoring for Preston on his away debut and Bobby Zamora, watched by Everton boss Walter Smith, has a penalty saved three minutes later.

The Seagulls' fate is sealed as Will Packham, making his first start with Michel Kuipers injured and Simon Royce Cup-tied, lets a long range shot from Jon Macken slip through his fingers.

A second-half booking for Paul Watson means the rightback, Simon Morgan and Gary Hart are all banned for the visit of Cardiff on January 31.

WEDNESDAY: Taylor says Packham, 21 last Sunday, will learn from his blunder.

He says: "It was a lack of concentration. At the time I probably wanted to kill him, but I understand he is a young lad trying to get into the team.

"I spoke to Bobby about the penalty. He normally puts them that side and I think he is going to have to hit them a little bit harder in future. He is ten times better than he is playing at the moment."

Taylor watches new signing David Lee make his debut in a 3-0 victory for the reserves at Northampton. Dirk Lehmann scores on his return from a short trial with Motherwell.

THURSDAY: Lee looks forward to the next two and a half years with Albion.

The former Southend midfielder says: "I know what Peter's coaching is like, so there was no decision to make really. It never really worked out at Hull.

"Obviously coming up a League it is a better team, so I am going to be a bit more patient here about getting in."

Matt Wicks, the other half of a free transfer swap with Lee, says: "If I had stayed here I would have gone downhill, because I don't think there was any future for me."

Taylor asks Zamora to retain the penalty taking role, while Wokingham and Dagenham and Redbridge want the unsettled Geoff Pitcher on loan.

FRIDAY: Dirk Lehmann is on his back to Scotland to sign for Motherwell for the rest of the season.

Taylor reveals Simon Royce's loan spell from Leicester City could be extended to a second month. Geoff Pitcher joins Woking on loan for three months.