Robbie Savage is beaming – and Forest Green Rovers are feeling it.
The club’s effervescent boss says he’s “absolutely loving life” as the feelgood factor continues to flow following months of progress on and off the pitch.
Despite juggling injuries, creating a brand new squad and the relentless pressure of a promotion race, Savage insists he couldn’t be happier with the journey he and his players are on.
Listen to the Forest Green Rovers boss in his full-match press conference with BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Steve Kitchen and Stroud Times’ Ash Loveridge. From squad comebacks and injury updates to FA Trophy dreams, promotion hopes, and even his mum stealing the show in BBC documentary Robbie Savage: Making Macclesfield FC – jovial Robbie covers it all!
Rovers take a break from league action this weekend with the visit of Scott Rogers’ Weston-super-Mare in the FA Trophy on Saturday.
Savage is expected to shuffle his pack for the Weston clash against a Seagulls side set to include former Forest Green midfielder Adam May and popular ex-Rovers’ captain Dom Bernard.
Rovers will be missing Jordan Moore-Taylor (broken ankle), who Savage confirmed would be missing for three months. Fellow centre back Ryan Inniss is expected to return to action within five weeks. Sean Etaluku and Kairo Mitchell are close to a comeback with Etaluku in contention for a place on the bench tomorrow, Saturday.
Savage see’s the trophy tie as an opportunity for silverware: “It’s an opportunity for me and our players to try and get to Wembley. I’ve only been to Wembley twice. I was in the League Cup, won it with Leicester and lost with Leicester against Spurs. But for our players to get to Wembley and our fans, it would be amazing.”
Savage is expected to add to his squad following a productive meeting with Dale Vince at Ecotricity HQ on Thursday, he revealed: “I had a great meeting with the owner yesterday. There’s funds for a couple of players in January in positions if we need, so we’re working hard on that just to strengthen our squad, which is a brilliant squad, which we’ve created to give us a push over the Christmas period from now to end of the season.”
The bond between Robbie Savage and the Forest Green Rovers supporters is palpable — and it was on full display this week. After fans took to social media asking for the popular South Stand to be opened for the FA Trophy tie against Weston-super-Mare, Savage sprang into action.
“Historically I don’t think the South Stand is open,” Savage explained. “So with the amount of fans saying, ‘can you ask if we can open the South Stand?’ I asked Dale [Vince] straight away, who then got in touch with CEO Dane [Vince] at the football club and Claire Thorley, Head of Football Operations, and the safety officer Mark Smith, and we’ve decided to open the South Stand. So again, it’s brilliant that a football club with a manager on social media can listen to their fans, because it’s all about the fans, and take their thoughts in and do what they’ve been asked to do. We’re a football club who like to do things right, we’re a football club who are different, and we’re a high-profile football club who likes to do things for their fans. But imagine it now: the youngster banging the drum and two other people in there
“So again, I hope, if we get 100, 200 people in there, it’ll be great for a better atmosphere. I’m not sure how many they’re going to bring. They’ve had a wonderful season. I think they’ve only been beaten four times in the league, three of those away.
“They’ll be coming here, probably looking at 100, 200 fans, travelling fans to make a good atmosphere. And it will be a cup tie which we’re going to take seriously.”
Savage also gave his players some well-earned time off after the draw with Solihull, with the squad enjoying their Christmas party in Manchester.
“The lads had their Christmas do at the weekend. They went in fancy dress and had a wonderful time. The team bonding was great, the togetherness. And we can just be so proud of the group we’ve created. It’s been brilliant.”
On the FA Cup, Savage’s eye is on local neighbours Cheltenham Town, who were drawn to face his former club Leicester City in the third round.
“I hope Cheltenham’s game is on TV — it’s right near my house. Being there, they made me feel really welcome. The manager’s doing a great job with Cheltenham, and I hope they stay up, but I hope we can join them.”
