There's been lots of talk in the media this week about gambling in football.

Apparently one Premiership player has written a £30,000 cheque after the World Cup, and Michael Owen has reportedly fluttered away £2million.

Well I have to come clean about the racket at the Albion as it's started to creep into the club.

Firstly, when we have a shooting competition, the last one to score has to pay a Lady Godiva (fiver) into the players' pool and on the away trip to Norwich, Kerry Mayo had to buy the coffees after losing in the card school.

I don't want to make light of a very serious problem but I feel that there are more important things for the media to cover than gossip about what players get up to with their money.

I'm sure all of you enjoyed the Pompey game as it was an entertaining encounter. A lot of people said it was a good time to play the leaders but I think it would have been a good time to play anyone, given our performance.

Once again we started well and outplayed a good side for the first half and felt very disappointed not to be leading. After the break, we came out looking for the breakthrough and deservedly got it when Bobby scored a cracker to end his mini-famine. We weren't content to settle as we pushed for another but they showed their quality to gain a share of the spoils by scoring in one of their few chances.

Paul Merson said after that they would have won if they had Bobby in their team but I think he's doing us a disservice as we outplayed and outbattled them in every department. And this is an encouraging sign as now we have a mini break to reflect and look forward.

We can look back on a hard month and I'm sure you'll all agree that we are looking a more accomplished unit and we have laid the foundations for the huge challenge which is facing us. We look forward to receiving the vocal support of Saturday and the recent away games. It has been awesome and driven the team on.

I'd also like to thank all of you for your cards and letters of support as they are appreciated and hang proudly in our dressing room. So keep them coming.

Somebody got a reprieve this week when the weather took its toll and the Brazilians had their game called off. I'd like to welcome our new custodian Ben Roberts to the club and congratulate him on an excellent debut. If training is anything to go by, I'm sure he will be a firm favourite.

Well Monday saw myself, Bobby and Bozzy attend the Escape's birthday party with myself and the Goalden Child (Bobby) being guest DJs. We had a slot at 1am, apparently when everyone else was too drunk to notice. We, however, went back to back with a mix of R & B and Progressive House. It seemed to go down well as there was a group shouting 'get them off'. They were obviously talking about our clothes, but we had to decline.

We all know that nicknames are a part of life, but at the Albion it's relentless, with no-one escaping without getting labelled with a few.

Recently Adam Hinshelwood has been gifted with the name 'Ice Age' after the character out of the animated film but he's also been called 'Monkey Boy' with someone saying he's the closest thing you'll ever get to a talking baboon. I, however, think that's a bit harsh and I'm glad to see that Hinch has a girlfriend, though rumours that she's named Bubbles are still unconfirmed.

Well as you all know, there is a free week for us this week, which means more housework for some and the inevitable shopping trip with the missus.

So I hope you enjoy your free weekend as it'll be the only one we'll enjoy, given the vital times ahead.

Saturday January 25