IT WAS a poor performance at the weekend. Several players showed their age and there were technical weaknesses in too many areas. Yes, my quiz team must definitely improve; our challenge in the supporters club quiz could not be maintained.

The football was different. After the drip feed of draws there was a welcome transfusion of three points for a win. In no way was it a thrilling game but in our present circumstances a win was essential.

That sentence seems stark but is surely realistic. For our club to be sustainable in fact to have a meaningful future we need to be in the football league. I have no access to the actual figures but some simple maths and a smattering of common sense comes up with just one answer.

For every game the bottom line is the result. This is so important I would put entertainment on the back burner. Is there not a slogan, emanating from I know not where that says ‘points means prizes’.

I very much enjoyed the first 25 minutes. The ball was moved quickly, Elliott Frear had space on the left and goals seemed inevitable.

However, we scored just once. A clean, crisp header from Eddie Oshodi gave the Dartford keeper no chance. It looked like a well-worked training ground, more, more please!

Dartford settled and by playing five men in mid-field denied Rovers time and space. They made only sporadic attacks themselves and never looked like taking control of the game.

A fine right wing move with the outstanding Sinclair prominent gave Norwood a difficult chance. He emerged from unusual anonymity and shot crisply and accurately through a crowded penalty area. It was a splendidly taken goal. This shows his value to the team. Even on a quiet day he is a match changer. He must be one of the first names on the team sheet.

It is also time I praised Sam Russell. He is very much Mr Consistency and improving his distribution both from hand and foot he is one of the players of the season.

I am told he has a fine sense of fashion and as such has earned the title “The Beau Brummell of the Five Valleys”. I am not sure he has much to challenge his sartorial elegance but well done Sam for keeping in so many games. You are a reassuring figure between the posts and a new contract should already be on the table in January.

Sam may be reassuring but is Eddie? There is so much to admire about his play but there is at least one aberration per match.

The one we saw on Saturday caused the manager to describe his head as being like ‘a 50p piece’. It makes sense when you think about it but it did take me some time. At Halifax all our defenders will need to be at their best in the air so we may see Chris Stokes back at left back with Marcus Kelly moving forward. Elliot Frear is perhaps too much of a luxury player for such a game.

Now to the striker situation and I want to start with an aviation metaphor. We ended the game with two Lancaster bombers as strikers. To aid these two worthy veterans a Spitfire is needed. Jon Parkin and Lee Hughes still have much to offer but apart from James Norwood do we have enough pace?

The current players have until the first of January to prove themselves and that is preferable to making any lightweight loan signings. Wait for the real thing and sign him on contract (of course it is not that easy!) but please try and get someone with their best days in front of them. Kurtis is beginning to excite us and another of the same mould would be splendid.

I don't expect to see Matt Tubbs as our marquee signing. Tubbs, a close friend and former team-mate of Academy boss Scott Bartlett, is being courted by teams from League One and Two, so despite our financial clout, Tubbs is destined to go elsewhere.

I close by mentioning two disparate and perhaps desperate characters. First Omar Koroma. Omar is playing for Dulwich Hamlet in the Ryman Premier League. He scored last week but on Saturday was substituted after 57 minutes. Why does this not surprise me?

Secondly W C Fields who as well as being very funny came out with some pithy one liners. The most famous was ‘never work with children or animals’ but one of his often quoted comments is very well suited to our football team who can annoy us by not crushing inferior opposition.

“Never give a sucker an even break” was the advice Fields gave to anyone who would listen. Could a poster stating this be placed in the dressing room and another on the team coach? Our ability will count only if we are ruthless. Go for the jugular lads.