TWO away wins and six welcome points for Forest Green Rovers against high-flying Coventry and Stevenage in the past week have delighted many and the prophets of doom have been driven into hiding.

Manager Mark Cooper deserves total praise for this.

After the Newport nightmare (a 4-0 home defeat) Mark looked like someone who had been kicked where it most hurts.

As I took my place in the palatial press box at Coventry's immaculate Ricoh Stadium, The Beatles' "Twist And Shout" was blaring from the tannoy and 'shake it up baby' is certainly what Mark had done.

There were five changes in the Rovers team, many of them bold ones.

Goalkeeping favourite Sam Russell was dropped as was centre half Mark Roberts. Dan Wishart was placed back on the bench meaning there would be a much-changed defence.

Up front Keanu Marsh-Brown and speedy winger Toni Gomes started.

Brad Collins soon showed he was not going to be bullied in his own penalty area. His display was a revelation as was that of Jack Fitzwater at centre half. This defence was not going to crumble.

There was forward flair as well. A run by Gomes was stopped by three Coventry defenders, but the ball reached Marsh-Brown and his shot was too firm for the Coventry keeper and Rovers were in the lead.

The second half understandably saw Coventry ramp up the pressure but a tactical change by Cooper snuffed that out.

Bennett and Laird at full back pushed forward to stop the growing number of crosses and the introduction of Iacovitti allowed a Forest Green back three to shut Coventry out. I cannot remember them having a clear-cut chance.

Another Cooper-inspired display resulted in a further win at Stevenage on Saturday.

Last week I doubted Cooper and his players. Shame on me! The two wins have shown both quality and determination.

Rovers' roller-coaster ride has taught me something. I must keep my feet on the ground and not get carried away. The problem is I write as a fan and as every true one knows, in such cases judgment can be clouded.

There is one question I must be more accurate in answering.

As FGR supporters dismount from the coach the question is always asked by stewards or home fans. “Where is Forest Green?”

To answer Nailsworth or near Stroud is proving totally pointless. On Tuesday I tried 'in the Cotswolds'. Where is that came the reply. I despair.

This must be the frame of mind of a key member of Fairford Cricket Club. He is a Coventry City supporter but will not be named in this column. He is a thoroughly decent man and I would not wish him to be mocked in the street.

Visiting three Midland clubs – Mansfield, Notts County and Coventry – has in one respect been a delight.

The pre-match music is superb. Hits of the fifties and sixties resound around the stadiums. At the New Lawn we are subject to an ill-chosen cacophony of songs devoid of melody or charm.

Last year I leant a Guy Mitchell LP to the club. It is still there, but I doubt if it will ever be played as “Singing The Blues” may no longer be appropriate.

My high-placed cricketing sources tell me the much-trumpeted future T20 competition is running into trouble, with counties arguing over money. What a surprise!

If it goes ahead the rich will get richer and poor will get poorer. Worse still, many genuine fans will suffer cricket deprivation.