Admittedly, a 3-1 loss at Bromley’s not the ideal way to kick off a season. But before you sharpen the pitchfork, light the torch and start on the “Mills Out” banner, bear in mind some pieces of perspective.

1. It’s only one game

We’re three points off the top of the table-that’s not any reason to panic, is it?

2. An opening day defeat doesn’t doom your season
In 1977 we lost on the opening day-to Shrewsbury! Beyond losing our first match to Chester, it’s hard to imagine getting off to a worse start, but ten months later we were celebrating the best season in our history.

3. It could have turned out very differently
Thing about it in terms of percentages: how often does a side lose from the position we were in after 22 minutes? A goal up, dominating possession and looking a class above the opposition. Individual errors turned the game around, but the majority of times we get a start like that, we’ll win, surely?

4. There were some encouraging signs
The opening 22 minutes were excellent. Replicating that for longer periods will see us right.

5. This wasn’t a complete surprise

I said on Saturday morning that the side wasn’t ready yet and Mills’ teams tend to have slow starts, but fly once they click. Hopefully this is just history repeating itself!

6. Bromley are a decent side

Don’t underestimate Bromley just because they’ve never played at this level before. They’re a forward-looking side who appear to be on the way up. Alan Alger, as knowledgeable an expert on non-league football as there is out there, fancies them to finish tenth this season. This was always going to be a tough match.