The beautiful game was firmly put into perspective when all of its followers and participants joined in the remembrance of Holly and Jessica.

I don't know whether I should mention this in a football column but I would like to convey, on behalf of all of the Albion, our sincerest condolences to both families. I would also like to mention the impeccable way the minute's silence was respected by all of football's community and none more so than our own fans and the handful of Wimbledon supporters. You are a credit to yourselves and your club.

Saturday's game was clouded with a lot of controversy, with our efforts on it being undone with a very dubious penalty. We felt they had more of a claim for a penalty in the first half but, having not given it, the ref evened things up by giving the less clear offence.

Off the pitch, the setting was a little bizarre as here we had an ex-Premiership club who could not manage to attract 800 fans (and we know why) and yet wouldn't allow more than 400 Albion fans into a stadium which had 20,000 empty seats. The whole situation screams of bureaucracy and doesn't fit with the spirit of football.

I would also like to say that the 1800 or so Seagulls who travelled were magnificent and I realise there would have been many more had the Supporters Club not boycotted and even though I don't want to say too much on this subject, as I know the Albion have been supported in the darker days, but we as players rely on your support as we're on a quest of our own.

Then Monday came round and a little too quickly for some as our squad had been deprived of two more members plus another before half-time. Now I'm not trying to make excuses for the team but any club who loses four of its first team and has two returning from injury is under strength and with our squad it's something we cannot afford.

There was plenty of pessimism around after the game but remember the start we had two years ago and where we finished. Now I'm not saying we're going to win this league, I'm just emphasising that sometimes its easier to jump on the bandwagon than give it a little push.

The squad has been strengthened this week with the signings of Guy Butters and Graham Barratt. Guy is an experienced centre half who will add good balance and Graham will give us an extra option up front.

The treatment room is bursting with Mal considering getting a turnstile installed if things get any worse. I visited there on Tuesday and found Bobby and Kitts boring everyone with stories of West Ham.

I then discovered that Kitts is the strongest man in history and is quite impressive with the weight circuit. So this placid hairy torso has earned him the nickname of The Yeti. He's not too pleased about this name so call him it on every occasion.

Kim's (assistant physio) dad visited the physio room the other day wearing some camouflaged outback clobber. He looked the spitting image of Wal from Crocodile Dundee and this goes a long way to explain why Kim always looks like she spent the night sleeping in 'The Bush'.

The Tamperer has been at it again with John 'Kajagoogoo' Keeley getting a little taste. He in turn reacted by cutting Dodge's laces and socks. Dodge however was less than pleased as 'Flowery' (his wife) had bought him the socks for his 50th. We are no closer to finding the culprit but most fingers are pointing to Dave Lee. The Yetti, however, has vowed in a thick Geordie accent to "start swinging if his gear gets done", so Dave, you've been warned.

My sources have brought it to my attention that one of the coaching staff has developed a complex about his weight and can often be seen at the crack of dawn pounding the streets. He gets up early as this reduces temptation and McDonalds opens at nine while Buddies is no longer 24 hours.

I won't yet reveal his identity as this would surely heighten his panic but if any of you see Freddy Mercury or Jacko in Burgess Hill at 6.30am, you'll know who I mean.