We are all going to need to be patient. That is the clear message from the defeat at Boreham Wood.

However, many friendlies are played, however much the team train, the keen competitiveness of the conference cannot be replicated.

I did not attend the game on Saturday but I understand too many Rovers players were hesitant and indecisive on Saturday.

Manager Mark Cooper has to quickly instil belief that his method of play will work.

Reports stated his team looked decidedly unconvinced. Most worrying was the fact that Russell and Bennett were twice caught in possession, presenting the opposition with goal scoring opportunities.

Mark made big calls in selection with neither Racine or Tubbs in the starting XI and I anticipate more big calls will be made for the game on Tuesday.

The visit of Sutton will offer the opportunity to put matters right.

Keanu Marsh-Brown gives the team an extra dimension and hopefully he will return.

I see Matt Tubbs playing a super-sub role but with our attacking play being toothless on Saturday he could start. There are plenty of options to choose from but will the inevitable changes mean the team can settle?

Saturday’s result was frustrating because although you cannot win the championship in August you can certainly lose it by dropping too many points.

Tranmere and Lincoln are my two favourites for promotion and they both will. Tranmere were of course spearheaded by the one who was once ‘the fastest boot in the west’ while Lincoln are now well managed having appointed the Cowley brothers from Braintree. I fear them most.

Two factors I will look for on Tuesday and Saturday are attitude and application.

In every Conference game I see these are paramount. They are words that transcend systems and formation. We have seen too many occasions at the New Lawn when this has been all too obvious.

Expensively created squads under Dave Hockaday and Ady Pennock have struggled against motivated and determined opposition. I hope that by Saturday my much needed patience is not wearing thin.