THERE is the splendid expression 'putting the mouth on it'. It means do not anticipate any success, or it may not be forthcoming.

It is a saying I intend to remember! No sooner had I mentioned the possibility of being top by the Cheltenham Festival, disaster followed at Arundel. We were properly competitive for two days, then it all fell apart. With the exception of Hamish Marshall, Gloucestershire's second innings display was unacceptable.

In an honest, after-the-match interview, captain Alex Gidman admitted as much. He knows that too many soft-centred batting displays could cost us promotion. Looking forward to Cheltenham with appropriate caution, he pointed out the Festival four-day games against Glamorgan and Worcestershire could define the season.

It cannot be easy speaking to the press after a wretched defeat, but it is something Alex never shirks, nor does he fudge anything. He is straightforward and realistic. It cannot be easy being a county captain, as four have already resigned this season (Smith at Durham, Boje at Northampton, Pettini at Essex and Udal at Middlesex). Coach John Bracewell and chief executive Tom Richardson take some pressure off Alex, but he knows he is the main man and is proud of it.

Warwickshire, recognising his qualities made Alex an attractive offer to join them in 2008. They also approached Steve Kirby.

Their director of cricket is Ashley Giles who is also a Test selector. I had raised the problem with the ECB about Ashley’s dual role when the Gidman/Kirby approach was made. Did not Giles’ position as a selector give Warwickshire an advantage in recruiting players?

Which ambitious player would risk disappointing someone who picked the England team? Inaccurate reporting by Wisden (2008 edition) and The Daily Telegraph gave Giles the wrong impression. He threatened to sue. When I explained to him that I had never accused Warwickshire of doing anything wrong, nor him of using his selectorial position to make signings, he relented.

My case was that the players' perception of his role made his dual duties wrong. I still think so.

Back to Arundel. There were huge crowds – county cricket in the sun at pretty ‘out’ grounds (those away from county HQ) can still attract them. For too many ‘out’ grounds have been lost - Abergavenny, Bath, Weston-Super-Mare and Maidstone, for instance. Cricket at such places was very much a part of the English summer. Well done Gloucestershire for leaving HQ for 11 days. No other county does more.

After a T20 win at Middlesex, when Porterfield made Test bowler Finn look very ordinary, the players have a rest before an arduous four days with three T20 matches.

They play at Chelmsford on Thursday and are at Bristol (Friday and Sunday) for matches against Somerset and Surrey. Last time we played Somerset in this competition at Bristol we took more gate money than in the last three years of championship cricket there, such is the impact of local derby T20 matches. I have already started watching the sky!

We can get plenty of people in because the stands will remain from Saturday's One-Day International. This was a fine Bristol occasion. Not having to be on duty I stayed at home and watched every ball on TV.

The Sky coverage was excellent. Their strong team of commentators, led by Mike Atherton, are first class.

Bangladesh secured a typical Bristol victory, reminiscent of many Gloucestershire ones during our cup heyday. Bat first and then defend is the successful Bristol formula. The wicket gets slower and lower, the batting side slips behind the run-rate and cannot recover. Ashley Down veterans were not surprised by what they saw.

The match proved that one-day cricket does not have to be a slog-fest. The TV showed spectators, on the edge of their seats watching a thrilling contest.

One footnote - the injury to Ian Bell meant that Gloucestershire youngsters Jack Taylor and David Payne helped with 12th man duties. The nation now knows that Payne's sunglasses are far from fashionable. I hope someone tells him before Cheltenham.