Tactics for the Stronghold.

What difficulty level are you playing on?
I don't quite agree with building Rocs on the first week... it's usually tough on the economy, and it slows things down significantly (except when there's a rich territory and many weak guards).
Although, if the guards are weak, there's no problem defeating them with goblins and orcs (three Rocs won't make a difference)...
but spending an extra day and money...