Steve Rhodes says occasions like Worcestershire's Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final setback against Surrey are part of the learning process and development on the pathway to becoming a successful side.
Rhodes can recall during his early playing days at New Road losing TWO semi-finals in the same campaign.
But rather than regarding such events as doom and gloom,it impressed on the talented wicket-keeper-batsman that Worcestershire were on the way to becoming a force in the game.
It proved to be case with a second golden era in the club's history just around the corner and seven trophies were won in five years.
And the County's Director Of Cricket believes the setback against Surrey was a similar scenario on the road to successful times ahead.
Rhodes said: "I think in my first year at Worcester we got beat in two semi-finals but it wasn't getting beat….what it told me was we were in the process of becoming a good side.
"Someone like John Inchmore, I remember at the time was disappointed. He was desperate to get to a Lord's final and we lost two semi-finals.
"But to the rest of us, who were a lot younger, it was a message that we were actually getting there.
"We just needed a little bit more work, a little bit more time – and I'm sure this team is exactly the same.
"Losing in this semi-final could be the start of some really big things like it was in that wonderful period for the club.
"All experiences you learn from and that's what we want them to do.
"Maybe getting beat in a semi-final by Surrey, with all of their stars, is also part of the process of where we want to get through.
"It is a bitter pill to swallow.We will take it if it is progress."
