WITH no football this week there is the chance to assess how the club is progressing under Ady Pennock's stewardship, where we are now and where we may end up.

Firstly we must remember that David Hockaday's team were in freefall. There had been eight defeats in nine matches and twenty-one goals had been conceded, against eleven scored.

We were also, immediately after Hockaday left, dumped out of the FA Cup by a team two divisions below us. Caretaker Scott Bartlett stopped the rot, picking a side to "work hard and win matches" and his record of six points from two games stopped the rot, but at best this only papered over the cracks. The team was not performing. Defensively weak, especially in the air, not challenging in midfield and inconsistent in attack we were performing in a way that if it continued made relegation a real prospect.

Extra coaching from former Tamworth boss Marcus Law plus the presence of a sports psychologist had not helped. We were seriously underachieving.

My view is that Hockaday should have gone immediately after the home defeat by Tamworth. That was the nadir of the season. "We did not realise it would be so easy ...". Those words spoken to me that evening by Tamworth players said it all.

Looking back, this column was too kind to DH. A firmer view should have been taken. That mistake will not be made again with AP.

The team needed more than tweaking, it needed surgery. This has happened and now is an appropriate time to make judgements. Rose-tinted glasses need to be tossed aside, and a hard look needs to be taken at past and present performances.

I am stunned when people refer to Hodgkiss and Stokes as the best full-backs in the league. Can they not remember the number of crosses that rained in on our goal, many of them not properly dealt with.

Look at our disgraceful goals against column. A move to Kidderminster was the best for all concerned. Jared had served us well but Pipe was clearly signed as a replacement, I am sure he would rather be playing regularly at Aggborough than warming a bench at FGR.

Jennings was clearly signed to replace Stokes but injury has ruled him out. Chris is still with us and loyally does everything asked of him. I wish him well at Yeovil, but am aware they have just signed a young full-back from Swansea. The absence of any other bidders shows our manager may be right.

Experience was needed in defence and Pipe, Oliver, Coles and Jennings were acquired to provide it. Bennett when not suspended is correctly picked ahead of Pipe, but the latter has not let us down. I have serious doubts about Luke Oliver but the acquisition of the reliable Coles was a masterstroke as I hope the signing of Charlie Clough will be.

The midfield signings have proved splendid. The energy of Kamdjo, Wedgebury and Sinclair have brought a new energy and determination to our engine room.

The signing of Lee Hughes was thought of at the time to be a master stroke and he has certainly provided some sublime moments however it is obvious not all is well with him. I believe he wants to play in every match, not something someone of his age can do. He needs to be managed, and accept that management.

A former respected manager (lower league divisions and conference) visited FGR as a commentator. He looked at our squad and said: "Your manager is brave taking on Luke Rodgers and Lee Hughes". It seems events have proved him right. Luke R was Ady's biggest mistake, while the last chapter in the Hughes story has yet to be written.

Two surprising successes have been Jon Parkin and Kurtis Guthrie. Jon has responded perfectly to the production of the personal performance video and Kurtis looks like a magnificent work in progress. We know what James Norwood can do and are becoming aware of Elliott Frear's value to the team.

I see Stuart Fleetwood as a much to be used substitute. However with the signing of Marwood I have to wonder about the future of Nors. The new James seems to me to be a direct replacement for our current one.

One thing is certain, the manager is backing his judgement and so he should, that is his job. He wears his Forest Green heart on his sleeve and like us will be choked if the play-offs are not reached. If they are missed by two points he must be given the benefit of the doubt but let us not dwell on failure. The manager and the squad are good enough to bring us success.

We must all get behind them.