IT is very easy for me to comment when I'm not involved at the moment, but the manner of our defeat at Newcastle was extremely disappointing.

In the fortnight since beating Leeds Tykes in that tense relegation decider at the Rec, we all thought that we had made giant strides in terms of improvements in our game.

Training had been going well, and there was a marked improvement in squad morale as we looked forward to what promised to be a competitive match against the Falcons.

Unfortunately, it was not to be. We simply were not good enough on the day. Plenty of mistakes were made, putting ourselves under immense pressure in defence, and we seemed to let the game slip away from us immediately after half-time. In conceding five tries (four in the second half), we totally lost our shape in defence, and in chasing the game made far too many basic errors.

Yes, it was a disappointment, but thankfully we live to fight another day. Our friends London Wasps did us a massive favour by beating the Quins on Friday night with a last-gasp Shane Roiser try which meant that the men from the Stoop came home pointless from the London derby.

We have to pick ourselves up and look forward to another derby clash against Gloucester at Kingsholm tomorrow.

Everyone has been working hard to rectify the mistakes that were made up at Kingston Park. These are hard and frustrating times, but it is commendable that the squad has remained as one over the past few months.

Basics have very much been the focus of attention, as we lost far too much turned over ball against Newcastle. Everyone has worked hard on this and we are confident that come tomorrow morning we will be 100 per cent ready for the challenge and what a challenge it is.

It will be a real backs against the wall effort. Kingsholm is always an amazing place to play as you can always expect a warm reception from those in the Shed.

Seriously though, if you can't raise your game for a match with so much passion, tradition and rivalry, then what will it take? To win at Kingsholm and end our away jinx in the Premiership would undoubtedly be the sweetest victory of the season.

It is good to see that Jonathan Humphreys will be joining us next season. Some people may criticise the signing because at 33 they believe he is past his best rubbish. He will bring some much-needed experience, having won 33 caps for Wales and captained the Principality.

Importantly, he has been there, done it and got the T-shirt. He is a winner who is still playing excellent rugby and will bring leadership to both playing and training as well as off of the field.

Another player to be joining us is Australian Chris Malone. I must admit that I don't know a lot about him, but I have heard that he is an excellent footballer and will give us an extra option in the back line. Already things are looking on the up for next season.