A HOME win against high-flying Halifax, a draw at eighth placed Eastleigh and a win at lowly Dartford have brought seven points out of a possible nine. The promotion push is back on track. We are two points off a play-off place.

These facts are indisputable. The Halifax game was the best performance of the season and the game at Eastleigh showed we have the resilience to fight back and our fitness levels are such we ended the strongest side, and could easily have won.

I was not at Dartford but have been told we were awful in the first half and very lucky to win. The manager was far from happy with the first half showing and said strong words at half-time. Anger and disappointment at the performance prevails. Not being there I take considerable pleasure from three points won, though I sympathise with my travelling friends, who saw a poor display.

This was not the case at Eastleigh, who are a good side with some experienced players. Rovers outplayed them in the first half, taking the lead with a sublime James Norwood goal. Our ‘Desperate Dan’ of a forward Jon Parkin set James free with a delicious pass and our speedy right winger made no mistake. In that glorious moment both players showed their undeniable value to the team. I have always stressed that ‘Nors’ is at his best wide on the right. I think that the manager now believes this as well, but it is James with his improving performances that has convinced him rather than the perception of your columnist.

Eastleigh received a half-time rocket and scored two deserved second half goals and such was their dominance the game could have become a rout. Not so with Pennock in charge. The team dug in and hit back, ending the fitter and the stronger. Parkin produced a pile driver of a free-kick and a draw was a fair result. The five visiting media were not unanimous in our choice of man of the match. Three names were mentioned, Oliver, Parkin and Norwood. The choice of Parkin was the majority one.

On the enjoyable trip home there was much discussion about the merits of various players, but little agreement. Not everyone was of the belief that our goal scoring No. 7 deserved his place in the side, and the value of Parkin to the team was a matter of debate. Happily the previously maligned Oliver has won many of his critics over, and was man of the match at Dartford.

The question now had to be asked if the manager has won the fans over? I am looking closely at his performance and hope I have learned from my mistake of last season when I was supportive of Dave Hockaday for too long. An opinion column is worth nothing if matters are judged and I am currently firmly in the Pennock camp. The reasons are these. There was a clear need to make us a better defensive unit. This has happened. We can, and do defend well. There is none of the penalty area rashness and indiscipline that cost us points last season. We get the ball forward quicker, are more confrontational in midfield. The Pennock phrase “in your face football” is obvious in all we do. We are hard to beat.

All is not perfection however, indeed far from it. The team is very inconsistent and needs to play well for 90 minutes plus. This has yet to happen. In addition too many free kicks are given away in vital positions. Goals at Eastleigh and Dartford resulted from this failing. It isn’t just free kicks that are given away too easily, the ball is also. Some of our play is rough around the edges.

From personal observation (admittedly just one training session) I know the manager wants better. There was considerable emphasis on passing and movement with the ball being kept on the ground. Can we see this more in match play please.

To sum up manager Ady has cured our defensive weakness and our mental ones also. We are more determined all over the field. Just one extra ingredient is needed to take us to the top. Simply it is skill, ball control, call it what you like. I think it will be forthcoming.

The next two games will show just how good we are, Barnet gave us a soccer lesson last season and with Torquay deservedly head the table. These matches are certainly ones to savour. We have already shown how good we can be in beating Halifax who are also challenging at the table top. Can we win again – twice? It is going to be fun finding out!