John Simpson and his Middlesex CCC team-mates will be on the road next week when the T20 Blast stops off at Old Deer Park – and he is hoping a change of scenery can salvage a poor campaign.

The 26-year-old had been enjoying a purple patch in the short format going into last night's clash with Sussex, which ended in a seven-wicket defeat to the new leaders of the south table.

Simpson hit 74 off 49 balls at Richmond in the defeat to Gloucestershire last month, and then topped it just 12 days later hitting 84 off 71 in a heavy nine-wicket defeat to Somerset at Uxbridge.

Despite his personal good form, seven defeats in nine games have left the Panthers staring up from the foot of the South Group table.

However, it could be a different story by the time Simpson walks out at Richmond on July 10 to face Essex, with Middlesex going to Surrey tonight (Friday).

Left-hander Simpson said: “It’s nice to score runs, but obviously it’s been frustrating we’re not winning T20 games.

“We have to stop the rot. If you put two or three wins together, it breeds confidence and momentum. Having belief and confidence, especially in the short format, is massive.”

He added: “In previous years we have not been good enough to win games, and we’ve been 15 to 20 per cent behind sides.

“This year we’re not a million miles away with the ball or the bat – but at times our skills have not been good enough in terms of chasing 20 or 30 too many.”

Should Middlesex get something from the Surrey game, they will still be bottom of the table and facing a tough test at Old Deer Park against high-flying Essex.

But if the sun is out, then Simpson is confident of a profitable day – even if he is more used to the surroundings of Lord’s.

He said: “It is a completely different atmosphere at the festival grounds – you feel a lot closer to the crowd and the crowd feel a lot closer to you.

“At places like Lord’s and the Oval, where you can get a sell out on Friday nights, they are big stadiums.

“But the fans feel a long way away and the atmosphere is different when you have 27,000 fans compared to 5,000.”

He added: “You get used to the home comforts at Lord’s so heading out is a little bit foreign. But when the sun is out in Richmond it’s not a bad place to be.”