Forest Green Rovers will make the long trip up North to take on relegation rivals Morecambe, in which manager Duncan Ferguson says his side are the ‘underdogs’.
Forest Green Rovers are currently bottom of League One, with only one point from their last nine league matches.
They take on a Morecambe side, who got dismantled 5-0 against Derby County, but scored five against Bristol Rovers in their last home match at the Mazuma Stadium.
Manager Duncan Ferguson says that some of Forest Green’s recent losses could have been avoided, ‘We probably could’ve got a point against Peterborough [United], because the penalty turned it. and I think we just need to see the game out better in the last 5-10 minutes of the match.’
Ferguson recognises that the away trip will be a tough one, as their opponents are unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions at home, not losing since early October.
‘‘I know that they’re strong at home, they’re unbeaten there for months and months, in the last nine games they’re unbeaten. They’re not a possession team, they’re very direct, a counter-attacking team, they’ve got some of the best stats for counter-attacking in the country.’
Ferguson stressed that if his side get a point, it will set the ball rolling for a survival push, ‘We’re looking for that wee bit of momentum to try and get that first point, that first win. We’ve come so close.’
Despite losing his fist two matches, Ferguson is confident he is seeing a response, both on the training pitch and in matches, ‘I think the players are reacting, as I say you always get that when a new manager comes in. But they’re lively, they’ve worked hard, we’ve had them in every day so we’re building that up, building the way we work and we’re getting them into that mentality to working but I’ve been really happy with the response, seen a lot of good qualities, so really happy and that’s all you can ask for.’
Forest Green captain Billy Cargill is still a doubt for Saturday after Ferguson described him as ‘on and off with an injury. We’ve got 18/19 in the squad, so that’s where we are.’
Rovers have conceded 30 goals in 15 away matches, and when asked Ferguson replied, ‘Play 10 defenders maybe! It’s not as if we’re getting cut open. Our defensive structure has been good, and that mentality to defend the box has been good.’
Tickets are still available for the trip to Morecambe, which is a 3:00 kick-off.
Oliver Holmes
