Coleman's postcard from San Sebastian No 12

The players had the next day off, so there was no training but I was a bit late for a press conference.

Little stories have a habit of growing arms and legs over here and turning into big ones so the stories soon came out that I was out on the town.

I wouldn't mind if I'd stumbled out of a bar at five in the morning with a bottle of champagne in hand but I didn't.

You can't move an inch in the wrong direction. It was my own fault, of course.

I really shouldn't have supplied the ammunition. It gave people the chance to take advantage and last week was not a good time after two draws and before a big game.

I'd been trying for days to get a plumber out because the family who live in the flat beneath mine had water coming through their ceiling.

I had to turn my water off. I was without hot water or heating for four days and the weather has been freezing.

The guy finally came out on the morning of the press conference, making me late. People have tried to say that wasn't true but you can ask my interpreter or the maintenance guy or my neighbours who had water coming into their house.

I met president Maria de la Pena yesterday. The meeting was scheduled to talk about other things but I apologised for going out late and told her I shouldn't have done it.

That was that really. She said there was no problem. It's been hard for the president since relegation last season. There's a cloak of negativity around the club and rumours about a takeover by a mysterious Chinese consortium.

If the president and directors go then that's me gone, too. They brought me in and I'd feel a sense of duty. I wouldn't be able to stay. I don't work like that.

The players are taking a real bashing from the media. We drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo. Their goalkeeper was sent off after five minutes and we got a penalty but missed it.

Then we hit the bar and missed an open goal from five yards. We scored and they equalised.

We got the whistles from the fans as we tried to break down their 10 men. We should have won.

I can't ask for any more effort and enthusiasm from my players. It will never be enough unless we win 3-0 playing Brazilian football.

Next week it's away to Gimnastic. Despite the frustrations, we're only seven points from the top three. You have to stay positive.

I'll admit it's been a bloody tough experience. But win two games and your life changes in football.