BOSS Mark Cooper says that his Forest Green players ought to have statues made of them.

In almost any other season, Forest Green might be able to count on a measure of popular support in their role as surprise title challengers, particularly as there has been so much to like about their football.

Cooper was in bullish mood after his side jumped up two places to fifth after thrashing Yeovil Town 3-0.

However, back-to-back league defeats saw a section of support vent their spleen towards Cooper and his players.

When asked if he thought the fans were fickle, he responded: "They (the fans) certainly can be at Forest Green, that is for certain  and if you think about what we have done this year and what the players have done, they should be building statues of the players, not booing them and calling them out, but we try not to take too much notice of it."

Cooper was pleased to see recalled Farrend Rawson bring his A game out as the burly defender stood out in a resolute back-four.

He said: “It was a good performance and a game we were expected to win - and we looked comfortable.

“We decided to play a back-four and we looked rigid and strong. Farrend Rawson came back into the team, and when he’s bright - he’s a good defender, but when he has a dopey day, he’s not.

“We have had to change our style and go a little more direct because the pitch isn’t in a good state.

"We picked a formation today with three quick and clever footballers in behind Doidge so we could drop the first one into Doidge and get them free-spinning, using their pace in behind."

Cooper was delighted with the impact of Junior Mondal, who marked his first full start with the opening goal.

He added: “Junior has been electric in training and his performance on Friday got him in the team – he was scoring from everywhere and he works his socks off and he deserved his goal.

George Williams was a constant menace and his eye-catching display deserved a goal to cap his mesmerising cameo, but his assists allowed Christian Doidge and Lee Collins to get on the scoresheet.

Cooper added: "Willo's got great ability - no doubting that. We looked a threat on set-pieces and decided from every set-piece for George (Williams) to deliver his wobble ball from everywhere and he caused havoc.

"One fan behind me shouted 'what is this rubbish?' when Williams took one and then he bent one onto the crossbar from 40 yards and I turned around to the guy and said 'what rubbish?' You can't win, some people come to moan."

And Cooper was delighted with the impact of Collins, who came in from the cold for his first start of the season.

He said: “It has been a tough time for the boy this year but not once has he moaned and he’s trained like a demon every day and today he was outstanding with Paul Digby in the middle of the pitch and he scored a goal, so I’m chuffed to bits for him – a great professional and a great lad.”

Rovers travel to title-chasing Mansfield next Saturday and welcome league leaders Lincoln City at home the following week, two games Cooper is relishing.

He said: " If we play like we can we are a match for anyone. We are looking forward to the Mansfield and Lincoln games  they're a challenge for us, no pressure on us and nobody expects us to be really where we are, so we can go and have a really good go at it."