Bristol have won two matches from two, but unfortunately there has been more talk about substandard performances than about the nine points they have taken from a possible 10.

Paul Hull said himself after the 40-36 victory at Birmingham & Solihull that Bristol made too many handling errors and lacked urgency – and that is not what Bristol are all about.

I know you don't want to peak too early in the Championship, but you do want to be playing well enough to have pride in your performances.

Jack Adams came out and said that the standards must be raised after the Birmingham game – and he is right. To take five points away from home is all well and good, but to concede 36 points against a side who have just been promoted is a concern.

I understand that every team is going to raise their game by 10 or even 20 per cent against Bristol Rugby – but other sides have dealt with that before.

Leeds, Northampton and Harlequins have all done it and now Bristol have to learn to deal with being favourites for promotion.

We are winning, but we're winning ugly – and that is only okay if you are erasing the mistakes after each game. Many more performances like the ones we've had so far and teams will really start to fancy their chances against Bristol.

Adams, making his debut at centre, appears to have done very well last weekend – and he was right to criticise the team performance.

I like that he stood up and said something – and to hear that from a new-boy was a massive plus for me. I think I am really going to like him.

He is a good player who has come from a winning background at Gloucester – and it's good to hear him pipe up and say Bristol have to raise their game.

It has been a stuttering start, albeit with one major plus – the fact we have taken nine points. I expected a backlash after the London Welsh performance – and I expect an even bigger one when Rotherham visit the Memorial Stadium this weekend.

My words may sound a bit harsh, but I am an optimist and I can see the boys producing a much better performance on Sunday.

Bristol Rugby haven't been favourites for a long time – but now they are and they need to start being more ruthless and blasting teams away early on.