Forest Green Rovers will make the long trip to Gateshead this weekend, as they look to bring their five game winless run to an end. Rovers manager, Robbie Savage opened his press conference by reflecting on Tuesday nights 3-2 defeat at home to Boston United.
“The fight back in the end was too little too late, which means as a manager I have to look at why…if you look at the 19 goals conceded after the Christmas period, eight have been individual errors and we have to eradicate them. We have to educate them, we have to coach them, every single day.”
Savage added “we are in a good position, if you look at the 35 games this season. We started so well that expectations rose from everybody and this dip coming in one go is difficult to take, compared to if you spread it out.” FGR currently sit sixth in the Enterprise National League table, seven points inside the play-off positions but 21 points away from the league’s only automatic promotion spot, which is currently occupied by Rochdale.
The former Manchester United player went on to say “this club is in a great position, with great people, we as a staff are doing everything we can to try and get this group into the play-offs. We look at every result and we’ve got some tough games to go…the belief for this group is there for all to see. For me it’s a privilege to be in this position, because it’s a position I’ve never been in, the harder you work, the better you get but these times test you.”
The 51-year-old went on to speak about his relationship with FGR owner Dale Vince, “Dale’s spoke with me three or four times this week already about what we want to achieve and whether we get into the play-offs or not, I hope he knows what we’re going to achieve.”
He also touched on the support from fans, saying “the fans the other night were on board, I had a good chat with a couple of them before the game…the fans are the most important thing at a football club, managers, players, owners will come and go but the fans will always support the club. We have another 11 cup finals to go, they can make a massive influence with their support.”
Looking ahead to the weekend’s clash with Gateshead, Savage said “they look dynamic, they look strong, they drew 4-4 but they could have scored more, that’s two wins and a draw in their last three games so we know it’s gonna be a tough test but that’s what we expect in this division.”
The head coach also confirmed that defender Jay Mingi will be available despite injury concerns but he also stated “there will be changes, because the first-half performance wasn’t good enough and I picked the team inevitably, we have to pick a team to go and pick Gateshead.”
