WE were bitterly disappointed to lose this week's Pro40 match against Leicestershire at Lord's, especially after a really fantastic win in difficult conditions at Glamorgan on Sunday. We desperately wanted to take the momentum from successive victories in

WE were bitterly disappointed to lose this week's Pro40 match against Leicestershire at Lord's, especially after a really fantastic win in difficult conditions at Glamorgan on Sunday.

We desperately wanted to take the momentum from successive victories in the Pro40 into this week's County Championship game with struggling Glamorgan. Unfortunately we fell 27 runs short on Monday.

We allowed Leicestershire to score 20-30 runs too many and they went on to win for the first time in the competition.

As players we fully realise the tough situation we now face in the County Championship - 56 points adrift of second-placed Notts and down in sixth place.

We have games in hand over all five teams above us but we know we need points.

Now is the time for senior players like myself to turn in match-winning performances.

Indeed, all the matches are must-win now because in reality we are playing for second spot as league leaders Somerset are a further 16 points clear of Notts.

We needed to show our fighting spirit from the start against Glamorgan - and we have put ourselves in a strong position going into the last two days.

The players have been working extremely hard, even the ones like myself who have not been involved in the one-day matches - we've been in for training at 10.30am in the mornings.

The belief is still there that we can win promotion back to the top flight. And there is no doubt we have the talent. When you look at the batting line-up on paper it just oozes class and the bowlers can all take wickets.

But the frustrating thing is that we can't seem to put it together on a regular basis.

We've had a change in management with our coach Richard Pybus leaving us in mid-season but, in truth, we can't use that as an excuse - a coach can't make me bowl straighter.

John Emburey has come back in as head coach until the end of the season and he has tried keep things upbeat.

Having the Pro40 games mixed in with four-day Championship matches is not, as some people would contend, a distraction for the players. The Pro40 competition is another chance for us to prove that we can be successful.

From a bowlers perspective rhythm is very important. You need rhythm to get the ball in the right areas and you lose it a little bit when you are not playing regularly. I've always been the sort of player who needs to keep on bowling.

Last season I ended up playing in most of the matches - the one-dayers as well as the four-dayers. This time I've played in fewer matches.

On reflection I would have liked to have played more times. I'm fit and available and I just love playing. But our captain Ed Smith has his own plans and you just have to get on with it.

As I said, it is up the senior players like myself to lead by example and that will be my main focus for the rest of the week as we look for maximum points against the bottom club to kick-start our bid for promotion.

Chris Silverwood was talking to Patrick Mooney