SAM Robson admitted some home truths from Head Coach Richard Scott to his batsmen had been a fair cop following Middlesex's 10-wicket win over Sussex at Hove.

Scott held a straight talking meeting with his top five last week, highlighting the need for more contributions from individuals, more partnerships and the need to stop losing wickets in clusters as they had in back-to-back defeats to Yorkshire and Warwickshire.

The response was emphatic as led by Robson's magnificent 166 the Seaxes put together two century stands and four more of over 50 in their first innings score of 496 against the previously unbeaten then league leaders.

"I think Richard pulling us up last week as batsman was fair as it shows the ambition of the club and we all want to improve as players," said Robson.

"On the evidence of this week what he said was right."

Robson, whose effort took him within a whisker of 1000 runs for the campaign denied the loss of his opening partner Chris Rogers to the Ashes battle had put additional pressure on him at the top of the order, stressing everyone in the batting unit was conscious of the need to filll the void left by their absent skipper.

"In a way with Buck (Rogers) away more responsibility has been put on all of us as batsman not just me as an opener.

"We have all identified we need to try and put our hand up now he has gone because he has been absolutely outstanding the last couple of years and just so consistent.

"So there is more responsibility, but I think all the guys are determined to go out there and do well every time anyway."

The impressive nature of Middlesex's victory will go some way to silencing critics who tipped them to struggle and had perhaps seen their recent hiccups as evidence they had punched above their weight last year.

Robson for his part appreciated how vital it was for the Lord's tenants to be back on track ahead of the run-in.
He added: "We know how big these last six games are for the club after a pleasing year last year when we came third in our first season back in Division One.

"We knew how big it was to back that up and do well again and therefore how important the Sussex game was to get the season back on course.

"You are always going to have bad runs in the season and the two games before this had not gone according to plan.

"But there was no point in losing sleep over it. The sun was always going to come up and give us another chance to do our best and try and fight again."