UNBEATEN so far. The highest scorers in the league. The best goal difference also.

These are indisputable facts. Add some more - a team that are resilient, play with spirit and above all play quality football - football that excites.

This is the new Forest Green Rovers, able to draw at Luton and rout Alfreton. The Luton result was impressive. This was no skin of the teeth draw - this was a match that thanks to the irrepressible Kieron Forbes could have been won.

Yes Luton had more possession but they could not break down the Rovers' defence and the lively, inventive Rovers' side showed enough ability to have scored at any time.

Some of us have been accused of being optimistic dreamers but I suggest a hard look at the facts. Surely they show our optimism is not misplaced?

The problems of last season have been well documented.

Uncertainty over the club's future, a late autumn Welsh walk out (two Fowlers and McDonald who quickly saw the error of his ways) meant an inadequate squad boosted by too many ineffective loan players.

I wrote critically about the quality of football and did not expect the manager to survive. I was not alone.

How wrong we were. New chairman Dale used two key words - consistency and sustainability. How right he was.

Remember this is our first full season of full time football - add that to fine training facilities and a squad with cover for injuries and suspensions and you have reasons for my optimism but more accurately reason for the team's achievements.

Take Reece Styche for example. In his own words Reece was, "putting in a hard training session on Tuesdays, then getting up early on Wednesdays to go to work". He combined plumbing with leading our attack. This season he is obviously fitter and stronger and of course not only him...

The management have spotted young players with the potential to improve. They are already pretty good.

This means one problem - big clubs will come with cheque books at the ready. It is already happening, and of course each player has a price.

We must not become purely a selling club, but can any player be denied the chance of an advantageous move. Just saying "he must not be sold" is not a realistic statement. I see real problems for manager Dave Hockaday here - but how different a problem from those of last season.

A word about our manager. Last season he was vilified.

There were chants from the terraces - the talk everywhere was of Hockaday out. I was one of his critics - like so many of you I was angry at the quality of football being played.

Writing this column gave me the opportunity of closer contact with him and a greater appreciation of his problems. The turning point was the fans' forum at the beginning of the season.

Dave Hockaday does not boast, neither does he moan. He showed his realism that morning. Target 60 points. Aim to sign players who can bring the ball down, pass it and keep it. This is happening. Can I however really be as optimistic as this article suggests? We have seen just three games. I realise I am sticking my neck out, but why not? If you cannot enjoy success, or deal with failure go shopping on a Saturday afternoon. I am unashamedly enjoying success.

By the time you read this I hope to have part of a special moment that makes watching sport such a joy. It will have happened on Tuesday night about 7.40pm.

The FGR team will, emerge from the dressing room, walk across the pitch and line up for the pre-match handshakes.

They should receive a handsome reception from those of us in the main stand. I shall be sitting there applauding vigorously.

"No you won't" Mrs Light interrupts. "You will join me in standing up and cheering!"

It may be applause - it may be cheers and the players deserve both, but so does a quiet man, probably dressed in blue and certainly with a severe haircut, who will be standing by the dug out.

Who is he? I will give you a clue - his initials are DH.