Thanks to both Mr Cooper senior and junior; manager Mark for his decisions and son Charlie for his performance which played a large part in the Forest Green Rovers win at Guiseley on Saturday.

My colleague Ashley Loveridge, of the Stroud News and Journal, teased some honest and forthright answers from manager Mark in an interview last week.

Those, like myself, who advocated the return of Keanu Marsh-Brown were firmly put in their place. “Keanu cannot complete a training session and until he does I cannot pick him,” said Mark.

You cannot get on the team bus unless you have earned a ticket. Get to it, Keanu – we need you.

Mark made changes in tactics and personnel for the Guiseley match. He wanted fighters, committed to the Rovers cause and included Shamir Mullings, Omar Bugiel and Manny Monthe.

These three provided vigour, vitality, height and pace, all qualities missing from the previous game.

As footballers they are all works in progress, but their presence in the team on Saturday was well deserved.

The ball was moved forward quickly and questions were always asked of the Guiseley defence, a clean sheet was kept and we came home with three points. Tranmere tomorrow night (April 11) – who won 9-0 on Saturday – present a huge challenge but on the latest showing the team is up for it. My hopes are for a draw, and a Charlie Cooper goal – he deserves one.

The period up to and including the play-offs is like a mini-season.

Seven players in our current team were not with us when the season started and three of them are loan players.

I feel there have been too many disruptions but would be delighted to be proved wrong.