NOT good enough. Those words accurately describe Forest Green Rovers’ display against Truro City.

This column has recently showered praise on our team and manager and is written in total support of both, but it is meaningless unless it is honest.

Without doubt, there are certain points that need addressing and certain questions that need to be asked.

The first question is simple. Are we fit enough? Truro, a part-time side from a lower league ended Saturday’s game the stronger of the two teams.

We were floundering, they were dominating. It should have been the other way round.

Recently, Lincoln and Tranmere have pushed us back in the final ten minutes of games. Can we challenge over the full 90 minutes? At the moment, it does not seem so.

Secondly, where is the leadership on the field? The team can drift in games. The second-half on Saturday is a bad example. As Truro grew in strength, we were rudderless.

Thirdly, was it right to send out two strikers on loan, and at the same time allow Matt Tubbs to leave? I do not weep about Matt leaving but would have kept Rhys Murphy on board.

We went into the Truro tie with Christian Doidge, the single striker available for selection.

It was generally agreed on Saturday that Rovers played at too slow a tempo. I do not disagree but I do not accept the reasons given.

Poor crowd, poor weather, drab day and no atmosphere are at best excuses. There are not reasons. A full-time professional outfit should rise above such matters and establish their own tempo.

Despite managerial exhortation at half-time, this did not happen. Truro, of course, were no push overs. They tackled quickly and their two central defenders were like rocks from Bodmin Moor, being solid and uncompromising. But how much were they challenged?

We needed a more in-you-face approach. There was too much “after you claude” in our attacking play. Our manager realises this and Shamir Mullings has been signed to provide pace and power. If the returning Kieffer Moore can add consistency to his game, this deficiency may be solved.

Whatever happens, we must be vigorous and forceful in the final third. The words vigorous and forceful remind me of Charlie Cooper. He had the pace and power to disrupt Truro, giving an impetus to a flagging midfield.

Liam Noble expected to give way to him and had removed his captain’s armband, but Robert was sacrificed instead. This what not one of the manager’s better decisions. Charlie should have come on sooner.

So, what now? Firstly, Truro have to be disposed of, but with many forwards unavailable changes are limited. I would start with Charlie Cooper perhaps giving skipper Noble a well-earned rest.

Then I would think about Charlie Clough both as captain and as striker. He has played there before and would certainly ask Truro some different questions.

Phrases I have used before spring too easily to mind. “Go for the jugular” and “never give a sucker an even break” are two and they are the main symptoms of Forest Green failure.

Surely, we have enough quality on and off the pitch to resolve these matters?

Dover must be dealt with on Saturday or our promotion dreams will begin to slip away.