"IT'S a funny old game" was Jimmy Greaves's catchphrase on the Saint and Greavsie show more years ago now than I care to remember.

As with all catchphrases it came to irritate, as an opportunity to trot it out was never missed. However it sums up perfectly Rovers start to the season.

We started with a penalty fiasco at Swansea that possibly cost us a point. Followed up a scintillating second-half display against Oldham with the awful performance at Brentford, and then, just when doubts were creeping in following the League Cup exit at Scunthorpe, take six points over the Bank Holiday.

Early days I know, but the league table has a reassuring look about it all the same and a win at Bournemouth this evening could put us in the top two if results elsewhere go for us.

As I started "funny old game", as the Oldham second half aside, we have not really shown the level of performance you would expect from a team with promotion ambitions.

Monday's display against a surprisingly poor Swindon outfit was one of fits and starts. If early first half chances had been taken things may have been different, but the lack of a midfield general in the mould of Jimmy Harvey (we're going back to the Saint and Greavsie era again) was evident before and after the goal.

The industry and graft was there, from Steve Jennings in particular, who covered every blade of grass, but the forwards never received regular service and once the goal had been secured a steadying influence was lacking as we gave up possession and ground to Swindon as they searched for an equaliser.

Finally, a word about Ian Hume's departure.

A move has been on the cards for a while so it did not come as a great surprise when it finally materialised on Wednesday. He leaves having provided some magical moments for Rovers with goals against Bolton and Swansea in the FA Cup run of 2004 springing to mind.

I am sure all Rovers supporters would thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best at Leicester City.