SOMETIMES as a coach, you cannot win.

You work out the tactics, develop them with the players and they used them to good effect in our match against Bath on Saturday.

They played in the right areas, caused John Connolly's side numerous problems and really should have won the game.

Ultimately, we lost again but I'm anything but downhearted. Forget the three defeats -- I've got absolute faith in my players and the way we want to play the game.

They made mistakes during the game -- far too many basic handling errors to go on and win a Premiership match -- but that's sport.

Players are, after all, human beings and sometimes they slip up. However, they're all big enough to hold their hands up and we've all moved on this week. It was simply a bad day at the office in terms of our composure with ball in hand, nothing more, nothing less.

As a coach, you cannot legislate for so many basic turnovers during a match. However, you can deal with them, work with the boys and make sure they improve. We've always tried to develop the players here at Worcester because we passionately believe that if you improve the individuals, the team then benefits. So, we've worked hard, moved on and we're looking forward to match number four in the Premiership.

For us, this campaign has always been performance based. We aim to improve every week and, I think, if you look at the games so far, you can see that areas of our game are blossoming. Naturally, we're all a little impatient from time to time but things are coming together. It shouldn't be forgotten that, after three games, we're still above Harlequins in the table and have won two bonus points from two sides with real quality.

It was always going to take a little time, with 14 new players brought into the club in the summer, and it's clear that we will develop as a team during the season. When you are promoted from National One, it is simply the way things have to be. You have to win the division and then, to some extent, start again. It's a factor which gives the other 11 Premier teams such an early advantage.

James Brown came in for some stick on Saturday but he's got my backing. He's been an important player for us since he came to the club two years ago and I certainly feel there's a lot more to come from him as a Premiership fly half.

He was one of a number of players who made a few mistakes during the Bath game but our playing philosophy means that, from time to time, human error will come into it because I ask my players to express themselves. We don't have robots here playing within a suffocating game-plan. It's sometimes high risk but certainly the rewards are even greater.

What was pleasing was that we were able to have so much of the ball against Bath considering their superb second row.

Tactically, I think we got it just about right. The forwards gave the backs a great platform and, if we'd have been able to keep it for longer periods, then we would have won the game -- there's no doubt about that.

Missed opportunity? Maybe, but we go into tomorrow night's Sale clash with confidence.

It's a match where, again, we will be the underdogs and rightly so. Sale have some wonderful talent and you only have to mention the name Jason Robinson to know exactly what you are up against.

Sadly, we won't have Tommy Hayes available for the match at Edgeley Park. Tommy damaged knee ligaments on Saturday and will be out for a number of weeks. It's strange to say it but we were relieved when we heard the news.

Initially, we were worried that he may have damaged his anterior cruciate ligament and, as we all know, that would have put him out for six months.

Tommy's a very positive person and an integral part of the squad so we're so pleased that we're talking weeks rather than months.