ROVERS are riding high and the league table proves it.

Of course, we must temper rejoicing with realism, but let us enjoy the moment, look at the league table and cheer.

The players deserve so much credit. Fitter than any of us have seen them, they are ending matches with plenty in the tank while opponents are clearly running on empty.

Each one knows his job in the team and there are leaders all over the field to ensure they do it.

Fifteen players have been used so far and all have contributed to the success. There is still quality on the bench or not yet on the team sheet. Our squad has never been stronger, in both character and ability, ideal attributes for a long season.

The second half against Welling on Tuesday evening was different. Sweeping attacking moves using the width of the field had the manager Ady Pennock purring. Clean sheets are his ideal, but he also delights in smooth attacking football and we are seeing much more of this now.

Elliott Frear is seeing more of the ball and is prepared to go for goal more often. Aaron O’Connor brings pace and Keanu Marsh-Brown is scintillating on the ball.

No longer are we limited to plan A, when we surely have plans B and C up our sleeve. Some have said, do we still need Jon Parkin? Of course we do. He can create goals as well as cover them and can bring out the best in others.

He may not play 90 minutes every game, but his name on the team sheet worries the opposition just as much as it pleases me.

Some have said he looks like he has put on a few pounds over the summer. For me he looks fitter and slimmer than ever.

Barrow were a disappointment on Saturday, not so much in football terms, but in attitude. No-one expects a visiting team to “roll over and let us tickle their tummies”.

(That is an Ady phrase - his post-match conferences are such good value.) But Barrow were too aggressive with foot, elbow and worst of all, tongue. In the first half, they were not helping themselves by their attitude.

Calmer in the second half, they gave a better account of themselves into the referee’s notebook.

I was not one to sympathise for the sending off for handball. Referees make these decisions and sometimes they go your way, sometimes not.

Players must just get on with it. Barrow did not, bubbling dangerously and almost boiling over. Rovers showed their maturity and kept out of trouble, conceding seven free - kicks to the opposition eighteen.

Yet again a visit to the New Lawn proved good value.

The Light jury is out on the new menu but the wit and wisdom of the Carol Embrey suite takes some beating. It was after a brief post match discussion that I realised the best close season acquisition.

A good relationship with manager Ady and perhaps an important influence on the style of play, our assistant manager has made its mark.

Driving home across the common, I found myself whistling a tune. Its title will not surprise you: “What a difference a day makes.”