SATURDAY'S victory over London Welsh was a crucial result for us and I would have settled for a 9-6 win before kick-off.

The only disappointment was that we didn't take all of our chances and that led to the nerve jangling finish.

But as the club's wise sage and philosopher Phil Maynard said -- we've now knocked over all the heavy rollers in the league and we must remember that.

It's important for everyone to remember there are always two teams competing and all the teams we play consider a match against us as a cup final.

Our support has got to be a little bit more patient and remember where we've come from in a very short space of time.

The players have enough to put up with with me wingeing at them all the time and they are eager to produce the goods.

Encouragement always helps the side and can influence what happens on the pitch. If derogatory comments are needed I can reassure you Duncan Hall, Phil Maynard and I make them on a Monday morning if needed.

Support has been fantastic and is greatly appreciated and we welcome positive comments and touch-line chanting.

Looking forward to Saturday's friendly against Moseley gives some of the squad a chance to show what they can do.

They've been training very hard and it's a good opportunity to press their claims for a first team berth as openings tend to be rare in the middle of a run of league games.

And it's important they get a taste of first team rugby as you never know when injury and illness may strike.

It's a squad and not a team which wins the league.

The friendly fixture also gives the other players a chance to switch off mentally and rebuild their fitness.

They are in the middle of what is called a mini-build cycle for their fitness at the moment.

Work continues on their basic skills but with no game on Saturday it's a good chance to do extra fitness work.

We've always regarded January, February and March as a vital time -- it's when the league is won and lost.

It's a time when we play teams for the second time and we have to add something to our game as the opposition knows what to expect.

Finally there's another chance to learn more about the game with a teach-in at Sixways from 7.30pm tonight.John Liley and Bruce Fenley will be with me to talk about ball in contact and defence.

Thursday, January 28, 1999.