I was not at the game and cannot comment too much, but it seems from reading the reports and the various soundbites from those involved that both in attack and defence we took the wrong options at times, while Gloucester were more clinical in their approach.

Perhaps the most interesting remarks were made by the Gloucester coach Dean Ryan.

He has never been one for giving credit where it is not due, especially to the opposition, but his remarks that Saints were perhaps a better side than the score suggested, and they were up against his team at the top of their game, should be taken note of before we get too down in the dumps over the result.

In fact, we probably should not get too much hung up on these on the road results in case it becomes a millstone around our necks and yet more ammunition for the doom mongers.

Perhaps we supporters always expect a little too much too soon and some are too ready to jump on any chink in the armour, but the harsh reality might be that our next tangible chance of an away victory might not come until we visit Worcester in March.

Of course that might change and quickly (and we all hope it does), but with us still being a work in progress and this season about consolidation in the Guiness Premiership more than anything else, perhaps we should not put too much weight too soon on the current inability to come away with the spoils on our travels.

If anything, as has been mentioned before, it will be our home form that defines the season.

It may not be the Premiership this week, but that 18-month home record still stands and will no doubt be defended with vigour as we take on Bristol in the European Challenge Cup.

It is two down with three to go in our five game series with Bris this season, and a good showing in the double header over the next two weekends could see us a long way towards quarter-final qualification in the ECC.

Currently sitting six points clear in pool two, and with the other two sides Toulon and Montpellier having a double header of their own over the next two weeks, victories over Bristol could see us all but qualify before the final two games come round in January.

It will be interesting to see what kind of team Bristol put out. After the defeat down at the Memorial Stadium three weeks ago, Bris coach Richard Hill stated that Saints would struggle this season as they were competing on three fronts the Premiership, ECC and EDF Energy Cup.

Now whether that's a large slice of kidology and he is trying to lull us into a false sense of security over the two European games remains to be seen, but if you take Hill at his word then we may well see a shadow of the side that defeated us in November.

Perhaps given his limited resources in his position its prudent to cut your cloth to suit and not overstretch your squad by being involved at the quarter-final stage, while ensuring one of your perceived rivals are in – using Hill's words – a 'relegation dogfight' are stretching theirs.

Do I believe him. Nope, not for a minute.

While we might see a few players rested, whatever Bristol team is selected will be all out to win because, just like us, they know if they do indeed survive in the Premiership next year they know that this is their best shot at a Heineken Cup place and all the financial rewards that brings.

For a club in Bristol's current plight they would be mad not to have a tilt at it.

But when that is all said and done, we are in the qualification driving seat.

And while Jim Mallinder might opt to rest one or two, I would expect us to be putting out a fairly strong squad to try and sew this one up before Christmas.

While we are on the subject of the ECC, in the days following the game down in Bristol next weekend the date should be confirmed for our game out in Montpellier.

As I have said before, I know the place fairly well and next week I will have the info on travel, accommodation etc. for all you independent travellers.

It may be in darkest January, but what better way to banish those winter blues.