Forget the derby day success, the key takeaway from Saturday’s win against Cheltenham Town is the fact that Forest Green finally look like a team who belong in League One.
Rovers’ have massively struggled to step up to League One, with the side dropping several points from winning positions, and at one stage found themselves at the bottom of the league table.
Whether it is the return of key figures from injury, or simply that they’ve had sufficient time to adapt to the division – the side finally look to have turned their fortunes around and are starting to turn performances into crucial points in a tight relegation battle.
Fans at the New Lawn have also seemed to find new optimism under manager Ian Burchnall, with the atmosphere around the ground having improved after recent performances.
Some weekend for @FGRFC_Official 💚
A first league win at home against Cheltenham Town since promotion to the EFL 🙌
Back-to-back wins for the first time in League One ✅
Just one point away from being lifted out of the drop zone 👏 pic.twitter.com/CFxIDPDgQ3
— Park Life Sport (@ParkLife_Sport) December 12, 2022
The side recorded their first-back-to-back League One victories, are into the third-round of the FA Cup and haven’t lost a league match since November 12th.
It comes at a key stage in the season, with three games remaining in December for Rovers’ ahead of the January transfer window opening.
The Nailsworth outfit have already added free agent Dylan McGeouch into the squad, with the midfielder having an impressive start to life at the Bolt New Lawn.

However, there is clearly a need to add some more experience and numbers to the squad, given the injury crisis that the side have had to deal with this season.
You’d expect that the more points that Rovers can pick up between now and January won’t only aid them in their relegation battle – but it will also make the side a more attractive proposition to potential additions.
Clearly the main objective for Burchnall will be to get out of the relegation zone as soon as possible, but should his side continue to keep performing the way that they are – it’ll certainly be sooner rather than later.