I WAS stunned to see Sam Russell left out on Saturday.

Always consistent and often outstanding I see super-Sam as the first name on the team-sheet.

Our adopted Stroudie from Middlesborough is a true clubman and I understand he does so much off the pitch to raise the profile of Forest Green in the community.

His form has been top-notch and after playing 143 consecutive league games the decision was a big call for manager Ady Pennock.

The gaffer spoke honestly on video to sports editor Ashley Loveridge about his decision to drop Sam for Steve Arnold.

He spoke warmly about Sam and knows the buck stops with him and it goes with the territory of being manager.

Sam looked somewhat forlorn at the New Lawn on Saturday but the fans gave him a warm welcome when he took his place on the substitutes bench.

I am certain Sam will be on his way at the end of the season and he may even end up with Chris Stokes at Coventry City.

In my view Ady has it spot on by allowing Stokes to leave.

I understand he had an excellent debut for Coventry City in front of 20,000 Sheffield United fans, but the time is right for him to restart his career at a new club and ply his trade for his old FGR boss David Hockaday.

Ady has got so many big calls right. He remained loyal to our new goal-machine Jon Parkin and kept faith with dashing winger Elliott Frear.

Defender Charlie Clough has also looked the real deal and I was pleased to see him score his first goal for the club in a dogged 3-0 win against bottom of the table AFC Telford on Saturday.

Ady also got his subbing of James Marwood right. It may be next year before we see the best of him.

Replacement Stuart Fleetwood made a considerable impact and played his part in the third goal.

The on-going fuss about the stewards and the inflatable ball fiasco should be put to bed.

Do we not want to state clearly that The New Lawn is a safe place to watch football? If it was not, Mrs Light would not let me come on my own.

Lessons have been learned and we should move on.

Finally, I had a shock after the game when I spotted our charming chairman Dale Vince sporting a new-look hairstyle.

His twenty-something top-knot haircut is a dead ringer of former captain Jared Hodgkiss.

See you at the New Lawn on Saturday for the visit of Southport.