After the euphoria of the televised match, it was back to Fortress Withdean for the visit of the much-fancied Derby County.

For two years we have battled and worked for the opportunity to play consecutive games against the likes of Wolves and The Rams and how many of you would have thought a couple of seasons ago that the Albion would be taking three points off the ex-Premiership outfit.

Granted, on Saturday's showing, they didn't resemble a top flight side as they were made to look very ordinary against our resurgent team. Even though it was a game of few chances - I can't remember Michel having too many saves to make and after the Christie dismissal there was only going to be one winner.

But the source of the winner was a little surprising, as the Ginger Kenyan notched at the second attempt to send everyone home ecstatic.

It wasn't surprising to me, however, that Kezza scored as, during training on Friday, he said to me that he was going to score. Now players say that all the time, but Kezzualdo was deadly serious and his positive thinking certainly paid off.

All we need now is for Paul Brooker to think as positively about buying some Listerine and I'm sure he'll clean up that breath of his. But seriously, it's great to see players of the calibre of Ravanelli, Kinkladze and Lee playing at Withdean week in week out as, having these players here, gives every game an extra edge and shows just how far we've come as a club since the sale of the much-loved Goldstone.

The Derby game came a little too soon for Graham Barrett and Dean Blackwell as both were forced out with minor strains, which also meant Graham had to miss his country's game with Greece. But he does have something to smile about as he was named Player of the Month and all the Albion would like to congratulate the hyperactive leprechaun as he had been a key factor in our progress.

The Brazilians were finally back in action on Tuesday in the early stages of the Champions League (Sussex Senior Cup) where they were drawn at home to local rivals Hastings at Worthing's Bobble City Ground.

The game was delayed by 15 minutes while the Fresians were moved off the pitch and the Samba men ran out 1-0 winners thanks to an early goal from trialist Roger Pandong.

It was a hard fought game and a much-needed run-out for many of the pros. Because of the state of the pitch, a few of the lads were running a book on who would be the first to slice the ball hideously with Virgs being an early favourite.

However it was Dodge who upset the bookies by rattling the pieman on a very respectful 17 minutes. Dean White was delighted with the result, especially as it was against his old club, and celebrated with a KFC bargain bucket down Hastings High Street.

On the subject of the new Wenger, he came in last Monday with a big cut across his nose and explained how he obtained it in a DIY accident last weekend.

However, it has come to my attention that it possibly happened while Mrs White was cooking a nice bit of pork and Blunkett, being unable to wait until lunchtime, stuck his napper in the oven to get a mouthful and burnt his hooter on a sizzling bit of crackling. This is only a rumour but definitely believable.

Finally, I'd like to wish Steve 'Victor' Melton and Sean 'Black Tooth' Wilkinson all the best in their loan spells at Hull and Chesterfield respectively.

Melts has joined Peter Taylor's revolution and will bring quality, if not humour, to their squad.

And Wingnut has also gone up north to Bung City where he has been whiling away the hours listening to the Fish Brothers CD kindly donated by the brothers themselves which, although it is quality music, isn't what we were looking for pre-match.

But thanks for sending them in. Sean and his Jack Russell, Ralph, absolutely love them.

Saturday November 23