Millwall defender Zak Whitbread says there is no need for the team to panic even though they have already fallen into the League One basement.

The South London side were relegated from last season's Championship and have made a poor start to their 2006/07 campaign.

Their five points from eight games is the worst record in the division, and but for Rotherham's ten-point penalty for financial irregularities last season, they would be bottom.

"It is too early to call it a crisis," the Texas-born defender told YA. "There is a long way to go, though we do not want to be saying that with ten games of the season to go."

"On the other hand, it is alright saying that, but we do need to start putting points on the board, making progress, scoring goals and keeping clean sheets."

The Lions have scored fewer goals than any side in their division and have lost twice in the last week, at home to Brighton and at near neighbors Gillingham.

Despite the gloomy status quo, Whitbread is remaining optimistic.

"We just need to keep plugging away and it will come," he vowed. "It is not an issue to do with the team spirit or bad training. I think everything is coming together, it's just that luck element."

"If the forwards can score one goal they can go and score a few more. We can't be negative all the time."

The former Liverpool man is also happy with his new role at left back, having been freed from his familiar central defensive mooring by new coach Nigel Spackman.

"Obviously, I don't go bombing forward like Roberto Carlos at every opportunity," he joked. "But I don’t mind getting forward and getting crosses in."

"It's hard to push on as a center half when you have defensive responsibilities, but at left back you have chances to push on and I do quite enjoy that."

"With Fil (Filipe Morais) in front of me, who likes to get at players, it is just a matter of backing him and getting hold of the second ball," explained Whitbread.

"I played left back for the States in Dubai (at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship) and I played a few times for the reserves there too."

"Wherever I play, I will be happy, but I am a left-footer. I have not got much of a right foot, that's more of a swinger!"

Millwall host Championship side Southampton in the Carling Cup next Tuesday.