OUR first-innings batting performance against Middlesex last week, when we scored 358 at Headingley, was just a nice little reminder of what we're capable of.

Our troubles with the bat have obviously been well documented this year but to bat like that on a really tough first day as a unit was, for me, pretty impressive.

Jack Leaning and Andrew Hodd obviously both got fifties to give us some substance and everybody chipped in around them. That's exactly what we've done so well in the last few years when we've been successful in the Championship.

It was just unfortunate that the game was ruined by the weather. If we'd gone through four days, it would have been a really good game.

I guess it was also unfortunate that the other result went against us, with Somerset beating Warwickshire – but it's the same mentality at the bottom of the table to what it has been for us at the top. We can't control what other teams do.

If we play good cricket for the next three games, starting against Surrey at The Oval this week, we'll win at least one game and we should be fine. It's all in our hands.

Win a couple of games and we could even finish third in the table. It's that tight either side of us in fifth aside from the top two. We'll keep focusing on our own performances and see where that leaves us at the end of the month.

I'm still very positive about my own situation, despite not being able to put the runs on the board that I would have liked to.

I was moved down to number three in the order, something I'm happy to do for the good of the team.

Batting at number three isn't that different to opening. It's probably even a bit more relaxing, with having a bit more time to prepare. Hopefully it can be a fruitful position for me in the next few games.

I haven't played that well in the first team this year but I've been hitting it well over the last month in the seconds and felt good again against Middlesex.

If I can turn that form from the second team into the firsts for the last few games, I can at least end the season in a positive manner. If I can make some good contributions to the team, I'll be happy.

I felt I was on my way to some good runs against Middlesex but I just got out for 27 when I was feeling comfortable. That's the way cricket goes.

I haven't really thought about moving down the order long term, to be honest. I just want to play and bat well.

In the early part of my career I've opened so ideally I would have stayed there, having done well. That's where I've got my runs.

The main things is that I'm playing. Wherever that is, I'm not too bothered.

It does give me confidence to know that, despite my lack of runs as an opener this year, Andrew Gale and Gary Ballance have opted to keep me in the team in a different position.

I guess the obvious thing that's kept me in is my second-team form. Every time I've gone back, I've pretty much scored a hundred.

It's not been a case of massive technical issues for me. It's just been getting out through poor decision-making.

All I need is one score of 60-plus and I'm confident I will be consistent for the last few games of this season and beyond. Hopefully I'll get that score this week and put us on the way to a win.