Magnanimous Forest Green boss Robbie Savage believes his counterpart at Rochdale, Jimmy McNulty, doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
Rovers face the National League leaders on Wednesday with Savage describing McNulty as “one of the best managers in this league,” highlighting his recruitment strategy and the consistency of his squad.
“Look what Jimmy’s done there. He is currently one of the best managers in this league. And, you know, when managers’ names get mentioned for jobs higher, you know, Jimmy’s never mentioned, and I don’t know why, because he has done unbelievably well.
“Jimmy is a humble guy and he speaks really highly about us. And when we played them in the first game, he said to me that, you know, you’re brave in what you’re doing, because he knows what we’re doing, but we’ve had to change the whole squad and it takes time.
“I don’t think Rochdale get enough credit from anybody, the way they’ve gone about their business this season. They’ve gone under the radar, but for them to have the points they have at this stage, it’s quite incredible.
“We’re going to the best team in the league and the manager, I don’t believe, gets enough credit as he deserves for what he’s done at that football club. The players they’ve recruited, their recruitment process is a lot like ours now, getting players from lower or at the same level. I don’t think they’ve got many players from higher, and that’s a testament to what him and Rochdale have done.”
Savage is expecting to cop a bit of stick from the home fans, but insists he will remain humble: “I know I’ll get a bit of stick tomorrow from the crowd. I get it, but I always try and be fair and humble.”
After the defeat at second-placed York City, Savage insists his side are ‘on a journey’ and already miles ahead of schedule.
He said: “We’ve been together for six months with a brand new squad and a brand new coach at the football club. So we’re nearly there. It might take longer, which I’m sure it will, but we’re building.
“People have to understand that we’re on a journey. The fans’ expectations, I think our own expectations from the start of the season, have been raised. You know, people think we should be going to York and Rochdale and winning. We’re close, we’re close, and that will come, whether it’s this season, next season, the season after, as the process is continuing. But I just think we lack a little bit of game management, and the young players will do that, the young players will make mistakes. But this is the journey we’re on, and this is the journey that we’re going to, you know, when it comes to fruition, the club will be in an unbelievable place. And that’s what the top sides have done in this league. They’ve been on a journey for two or three years, and look where they are. We’re miles ahead of where we should be.”
Take a look back at all the action from Forest Green’s match at York City. Pictures: Peter Barnes
