Spirits amongst supporters dropped after a dismal display on Saturday saw the Gas come away with nothing but a 4-1 defeat to title favourites Crawley to show for their troubles, a result that left Buckle disappointed, not only in the performance of his players, but in his own showing.
"Everyone wanted to get off to a cracking start and be top of the league, but it is a long, long season." Commented the former Torquay boss.
"If we were sitting in the play-offs now, you wouldn't catch me jumping around saying we were the finished article and I am certainly not going to stand here now a few games in and be worried.
"We have a long way to go until we get the rebuild right. Saturday was not nice for us, the players know that, and we put a few things right yesterday, and tomorrow night will be another opportunity to get on the front foot and try and win the game.
"On Saturday we played a good side who have been together for a while, and they are the bookies favourites for a reason. The one thing that disappointed us is that we know we can play a lot better. We didn't perform Saturday; me, the staff and the players."
Buckle continued by bemoaning the injuries that have prevented him from sending out a settled side on a regular basis, a factor that lead to Rovers conceding three goals from set pieces at the Broadfield Stadium.
"I have signed some excellent people, we have all come together very quickly, that is not an excuse, but we need a bit of time to understand each other.
"We have had a lot of injuries, we still have good players to come in, it is always an opportunity for other players to come in and do well, but ultimately the sooner we can get an 11 on the pitch on a regular basis, then the understanding will come.
"I am not saying we didn't try on Saturday, we did, we had a go, we were just very loose on set plays. We have been watertight up to then, two clean sheets in the last two league games.
"We got tested to the max at Macclesfield, but on Saturday we came unstuck. Teams don't have to do an awful lot on games these days to get something if you are not switched on in the 18 yard box.
"They had six shots on our goal and scored four goals. We know that we have got to be better in the 18 yard box, and that is something I will instill at the club."
Sunday saw the Rovers squad called in for extra training by their gaffer, though he insists it was not so much a disciplinary action as a chance to evaluate what has passed so far this season.
"It wasn't a punishment, I think that if you have to punish people, you need to get rid of them. It was a case that we needed to have a chat as a group, the players need to know where I am coming from, and what we expect.
"Basically it was to have a look at what we have achieved so far, there was lots of good, and a few bits that weren't so good.
"We are trying to build something at the club, we are trying to get wins, but we are also trying to build a mentality which was not here before we got here."
It was then revealed that two players picked up knocks on Saturday that could prevent them from lining up against Wycombe in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on Tuesday night. There was, however, good news about full back Gary Sawyer who has spent the opening weeks on the sidelines recovering from a hernia operation.
"We are hoping Gary Sawyer will be back today. Joe Anyinsah is a no, and Adam Virgo is struggling with his calf. Chris Zebroski got a whack on Saturday.
"At the moment it seems to be one step forward and two back in terms of getting players back on the training field. But that is life, that happens.
"The place is very healthy, I am delighted with a lot of things. We had a harsh result in the week, the players gave so much and we lost by the odd goal."
Questions then moved to the loan window which opens up again in midweek, Buckle claiming to be caught in two minds as to whether any new faces needed to join his squad.
"It is catch 22. I am speaking to 'Kitey' [physiotherapist Phil Kite] all the time in regards to how long the players are going to be. Right now if you offered me two players, of course I would like two players to come into the squad.
"But, in a week's time I have got players coming back, you have a dilemma there. I would have brought players to the club to play, and it is going to be a period of time for them to settle in and find their feet, so I don't really want to overload.
"We have taken a hit with injuries at the moment, it is not a good time to go to Crawley, but we will take it on the chin. We were not good enough on Saturday, and we will be working very hard to put it right."
Before moving on to his next training session Buckle saved the last word for the fans, over 900 of whom made the journey to Sussex, only to witness defeat.
"The biggest plus again for me was the supporters. I know so many clubs where they would have booed us off, but they didn't do it. They weren't happy, I could see that, we are not happy. But if we stick together we will come out on top."
