I FIRMLY believe there is something to be learned from every defeat and that was the case on Saturday.

We were beaten 4-1 by Whyteleafe in the FA Trophy and the scoreline was definitely harsh on us. We created a lot of chances and they scored pretty much every chance they had. But better it come in the FA Trophy than the league.

I am not concerned in the slightest at going four games without a win as two defeats came in cup competitions against very good teams and the two league draws are points that we maybe wouldn’t have been unhappy with before kick-off.

But our form has dipped. That said, I remain very confident in this group and they are working hard to achieve things. We need to stay calm in the knowledge we will become better each week.

We have already played a lot of teams in the top eight but [in light of upcoming fixtures] you have to respect this division and every week you are in a game. Whether it is against top or 20th you are in a game and there are subplots whether it be against former staff or players, local rivalries or perhaps scores to settle.

I am not naïve enough to expect us to win all our upcoming games, although we are capable of doing so. We hope to score points and we know we are a good outfit.

Basildon are the runaway leaders at the moment and I take my hat off to them. People will view them as a play-off candidate and who knows what they could achieve.

They have kept the same group of players from last year and they are keen to improve. But we have 19 rivals, not just Basildon.

Big promotion candidates have changed their managers recently [Canvey Island and Heybridge] and it could have an unsettling effect.

Mark Bentley has come in at Canvey and I know he did good work at Grays. Dan [Heale] has been honest with himself and he should be applauded for doing right by the club. I wish Mark well but not too well as they remain a rival of ours!