AS a key member of the Swansea City side that comfortably won last season's League One title, Andy Robinson recognises the importance of how a team deals with setbacks.

It is why the Leeds United winger has labelled today's meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion as a "must-win" encounter despite the campaign being just two months old.

The Elland Road side go into the game in need of a lift after a hugely disappointing week that began with their six-game winning run being brought to a shuddering halt by a 2-0 defeat at Peterborough United.

Then, in midweek, Rotherham United inflicted the heaviest defeat of Gary McAllister's reign with a 4-2 drubbing in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy second round.

Having missed just six games for a Swans side who were so dominant in League One they finished 10 points clear of the field and clinched promotion with three weeks to spare, Robinson insists United's response today against the Seagulls will say a lot about their prospects this term.

He said: "You do have setbacks but it is how a team reacts that matters the most. At Swansea, we lost games but we would then go on runs of five or six wins.

"That was what made the difference last year. Here, we lost a league game earlier in the season and then bounced back in the right way. We need to do that again.

"It was disappointing at Rotherham but we now move back to the league, which is the main prize. We have to get out of this league and to do that we have to win five, six or seven games on the bounce.

"When we lose the odd one, we must regroup and go again. Our home form is good so we can give the fans a treat after our last two performances.

"The three points will do that. I know it is early in the season but it is a must-win game on Saturday now."

Swansea lost eight league games last season but, crucially, the only back-to-back reverses they suffered came in the opening month when a Carling Cup second round exit to Reading was followed by Doncaster Rovers' triumph at the Liberty Stadium.

Those apart, however, the Welsh club always bounced back from a setback to claim at least a point and Robinson insists Leeds can do the same this time around.

"It is good that the next game comes around quickly. I know we said that with Rotherham after what happened at Peterborough and then we never lived up to our expectations.

"But that is behind us now and we really have to move forward from this."

On United's 4-2 Johnstone's Paint exit, Robinson added: "It was disappointing. We were looking at them in the tunnel before the game and could see they were a big side. And it ended up being boys against men.

"You can't defend like we did and expect to win games, it is as simple as that. It does not matter who the opposition are. The first goal was from a throw-in and for the second their lad ran 30 yards. We just can't afford that.

"We have to learn a big lesson from the game because we just can't afford to concede stupid goals like that.

"I am being honest and we just didn't put our foot in. I thought we tippy-tapped around at times. And we got punished.

"Over the game, I felt we were possibly on top and on another day we might have got it back to 4-4 and taken it to penalties. But it is done now and we move on.

"What we must not allow to happen is for two defeats on the bounce to become three. That cannot happen."

Today provides a golden chance for United to bounce back against a Brighton side who have gone ahead in five of their last six league games only to let the advantage slip.

The star name in the visiting ranks is Robbie Savage, a figure Leeds fans have grown to hate over the years. Robinson added: "I have played against Robbie a couple of times in friendlies but I don't really know him.

"I think him playing will be more one for the fans than the players. I am sure they will give him some stick."



Last six games: Leeds United WWWWLL, Brighton & Hove Albion LDLDDD.

Referee: C Boyeson (East Yorkshire).

Last time: Leeds United 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 0; March 29, 2008; League One.

SkyBet odds: Leeds to win 4-7; draw 11-4 Brighton to win 11-2.