Forest Green Rovers winger Joshua Osude has said their “12th man really pushes” them in their chase to secure a chance to lift themselves out of the national league.
Robbie Savage’s side have been boosted by the return of the February signing with the his last appearance being in just under a month ago in a 1-1 draw to Boreham Wood.
Having had time out with injury struggle, and a ban from a red card against Boreham Wood, Osude is happy to have re-joined the squad.
“I feel like its been a long time. I’ve been doing some fitness and running and I’m buzzing to be back with the boys and finish off the season. Moral in camp is good, everyone wants to finish the season strong and get into play offs.”
Forest Green have eight chances to secure a play off place in the National League and fight to re-join the Football League for the first time since 2021/22 season.
Their run in looks to be kind on the eco friendly club with their hardest assignment being a trip to ninth place Hartlepool with other fixtures favouring Rovers.
Forest Green will play Wealdstone on Saturday with the hope of turning fortunes around – Rovers having never been able to get over the line for victory.
Savage’s side will then compete in consecutive away matches against Eastleigh and Tamworth.
Both Eastleigh and Tamworth were beaten by Rovers earlier this season but at this stage of the season, matches come fast with little time to breath.
With back to back away matches not far away, Osude made it clear about how important the travelling support is to the side.
“I don’t think people realise what having the fans and support behind does for us. They’re like a 12th man on the pitch. For me as a player I hear the fans cheering for every tackle that we win every header, it really pushes us.”
🗣️ Josh Osude talks to the press ahead of Wealdstone on Saturday.
— Forest Green Rovers (@FGRFC_Official) March 19, 2026
đź“ş Watch the full interview here: https://t.co/A0UcpWu1io#WeAreFGR đź’š pic.twitter.com/FTYL0ukCZH
51-year-old Savage will be keen to secure a first promotion as manager of a football club with him taking over Forest Green in July 2025.
“So the games we’ve got coming up, we’ve dropped points in, but again, every single time we go onto the pitch, its a difficult game. All we can do is give the players the solutions, the details, going into that game.
“But when they cross the white line, inevitably its our responsibility to try get results.”
After last week’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Southend, Savage’s side sit six points clear in the play off places. But the manager feels there’s more than enough competition in their rear view mirror.
“Well, if you’re speaking about Halifax in general, we’re six points clear of them. I think they’ve got +4 goal difference. Hartlepool’s run in is tough. Wealdstone, before the defeat the other night, still in contention. Woking with a change of management coming in as well. Southend beating Rochdale.”
There are eight matches left to go in just over a month is a tight schedule and the reintroduction of Osude could come into play nicely in terms of options for the manager.
Jose Marquez and Ryan Inniss also both return from injury to boost The National League side.
Going into the final month of the season, in April, three homes matches of Morecombe, Braintree and Brackley Town will be seen as opportunity’s with each sides respective form being below par.
Trips to Truro City and Hartlepool are the last two travelling days with the Hartlepool fixture being a crunch match in terms of making them play off spot a formality.
