METICULOUS in his preparation, Forest Green boss Mark Cooper insists his side are ready to rise to the challenge of Maidstone United’s 3G playing surface.

Rovers have benefited from a 3G familiarization week at Bristol-based SGS College.

“This is another challenge we have to meet - and one we want to be prepared for,” said Cooper. “We have trained on it this week, so the players can get used to it and not use it as an excuse.”

Use of the state of the art facility was fostered through Scott Bartlett’s Forest Green Academy, who are based at the SGS campus in Stroud, and Cooper was delighted to be able to see his side benefit from the link.

He said: “This is a lovely facility and they have looked after us - and it is important that we build relationships and continue them.”

The surface at Gallagher Stadium, Maidstone, should suit Rovers’ free-flowing style, but Cooper was mindful of the unpredictability the 3G surface can bring.

“Some are slower, some are watered to make it a little bit slicker, sometimes it moves slow, sometimes it moves quick and sometimes it bounces differently, so we will have to see when we arrive, but whatever challenge we are given we have to pass, and we have another one on Saturday.

Cooper expects the National League newcomers to test his in-form side.

He added: “They have started life really well in the Conference and were unlucky at Tranmere last week - and probably could have got a point.”

Three wins on the bounce have put Rovers in a good place and Cooper is keen for his team to kick-on.

He said: “If you had given me 10 points after five games, or 10 points for every five games this season, I would take it, because I don’t think you would be too far away if you had two points per game.

“We started really poorly, but we have started to grow and I hope this continues.”

Cooper’s blueprint is total football, but he is flexible enough to know at times you have to turn a different corner.

“You can talk about philosophy, projects and styles of play, but at the end of the day you have got to win,” he said. “I don’t mind going and getting horrible 1-0 wins, yes, we want to play football, but it’s not possible all the time as there is another team on the pitch that have a say in that.”