Listen and read every word as Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage speaks to Stroud Times and BBC Radio Gloucestershire about the club’s difficult start, Josh Osude’s injury, facing Hornchurch, Ryan Inniss, the support of former Rovers boss Frank Gregan, his ‘adversity’ tattoo and new club analyst Christian Rieger.
Listen to Robbie Savage’s unabridged pre-match press conference
Paul Furley: Has anything come out of an analysis of Monday’s game that you didn’t know at quarter past five?
Robbie Savage: No. The boys give everything. The boys were devastated. The boys are so together. The fans were magnificent in terms of the appreciation they showed the players after the game.
Missed opportunities. No, nothing. Just that it’s such fine margins in football. We could have had four points easily from the previous two games, but we didn’t, we got none.
But we just now need to stay together, which we are, massively, and try and go to Hornchurch and get something.
PF: I understand Josh Osude has got himself injured since then. What happened and how bad is it?
Robbie Savage: He came in on Tuesday morning because we were in for the debrief and the warm down and recovery. And Josh, who played 45 minutes, who’s been a shining light for us really this season, came in the next morning, said, “I’ve got out the shower, slipped, knees swollen up,” and he’s got a partial rupture of his ACL.
So not good news, he’s going to be out for eight to 12 weeks. Again, we’ve got other players to step in.
PF: It does just seem to sum up Forest Green’s luck at the moment. Have you run over a black cat or done anything like that you shouldn’t have done?
Robbie Savage: No, but again, it’s two wins and three defeats. We’re on six points.
At this time, listen, let’s be honest, it’s a test as a manager, but it’s a great test. It’s a test I had as a player. I always told I wasn’t big enough, I wasn’t strong enough, I was too skinny, I wouldn’t make it. I had to fight for what I had as a person, as a player.
And as a manager now, a test which I’m excited about, I’m looking forward to it. We had a test last year, didn’t we? Do you remember when we went three or four games on the run? And that was a test, and we came through that.
We’ll come through it. We’ll work harder, we’ll ask more questions of ourselves, but it’s one thing that I am relishing, and our players are.
You know, let’s go and show everybody how good we are, because we are good. You know, as it stands, people look at us and thinking, should they be where they are?
But the table after five games, look at Hartlepool, look at Scunthorpe, look at teams down there. The table doesn’t lie.
We need to be better, but we can’t be any better in terms of the effort, the endeavour, everything we’re giving. But hopefully it will turn.
It’s quite terrible at the minute, let’s be honest. It might be terrible for a while longer, but I’m sure with this group who I believe in so much, so much will come through it very smoothly.
PF: Tough is this for you personally because you say you’ll always review and look at yourself first and you’ve got to be the one who is upbeat around the players and keeps their confidence high. So I guess this is a test, isn’t it?
Robbie Savage: Yeah, it is. One thing that the boys know is that they’ve got a manager who would do anything for them on and off the pitch. I treat them how I want to be treated. I treat my staff how I want to be treated.
The culture now at the club is unbelievable. The togetherness is unbelievable. I’ve had players in this week, which is unheard of, about seven or eight, saying, “How are you, Gaffer? Are you OK?”
So again, that means an awful lot. Players who haven’t been in the team have been in, which the art of my management is, how do you keep the players who aren’t in the team happy?
But for those players to come in who haven’t played many minutes and say, “How are you, Gaffer?” means an awful lot. So that shows to me that they care. I care about them and I think they know that.
They know that I’ll help them off the pitch as much as I can. I just want to give my players the best opportunities and the life which they can have, a better life in terms of with their families. Can they do better for themselves?
I want to educate them, make them better as my staff do.
Yeah, it’s tough, of course it is, but it’s a little, little blip. But we’ve just got to work harder, work hard in terms of everything we do as a collective and we’re certainly going to do that.
PF: Those players who haven’t featured that much, in the eyes of some fans, they might have become better players after the recent games. How tempting is it to make changes, or is that decision to stick or twist basically?
Robbie Savage: I think when you go through a period like this, and I’ve spoken to many managers for advice, I’ve got Mark Bowen, my sporting director, I’ve got Dale and Asif who care, who we’re such aligned and the numerous chats I’ve had with them and they’re so supportive and we know it’s a process, we’ve got to trust the process.
So what you don’t do at this minute now is panic.
You know, I said at one of my coaching courses and, you know, at this point last year, if you remember, or the point where we were losing games, I tried the back five instead of 3-4-3. I was going away from our 4-2-3-1.
So this period now, after five games, you’re sticking to the 4-2-3-1. Out of possession might be a bit lower, but the data suggests that in terms of how high that line is, the fourth highest line in the division, which on the eye, I wouldn’t think that was the case.
I think we’re quite deep and the gaps are too big. But that was rectified against Fylde.
So if you’re looking at the previous two games where we can see it at Worthing, can see it against Boreham Wood, up to half-time now we’ve looked solid and secure. So we can see we’re adapting.
But that’s not changing our beliefs or our philosophy in the 4-2-3-1, because we’re going to stick with that. You’re trying to find solutions in terms of personnel, which we are, because we’ve got a brand new squad once again.
So the temptation is not to change massively, it’s to keep the same structure, keep the belief and it will change.
My emotions change in the dressing room, it has. My emotion will never change on the sideline. Because if you lose emotion on the sideline then I wouldn’t be a manager.
Because that’s what you live for on a Saturday or a Tuesday is that when we equalised, the feeling was amazing. Like, the best feeling ever. And then when you concede, it’s the worst feeling ever.
And that’s why I can’t be neutral. I can’t be. So that emotion will always be there. My players can energise off it.
And after the game I went into the dressing room and it was, nobody said a word. Internal staff, I spoke to our media team, everybody was so flat.
Because, and let’s be fair, Furls and Ash, the people who follow us, I think you’ve felt it as well, because we’re all in this together and that’s what we’ve created.
But inevitably, fans only see three points or not. That’s all they see. And that’s football. And everybody’s got an opinion, which they’re entitled to.
You know, and it meant a lot to the players that they got applauded off because fans seen it.
You know, when it does cross the line is when the players give everything and a small minority of fans verbally cross the line. That’s unacceptable.
Have your opinion, be frustrated, be disappointed, but don’t cross the line.
PF: Hornchurch this week, I guess in a way though, it could be anyone, couldn’t it? Because it’s probably first and foremost about what you do.
Robbie Savage: Yeah, it is. Listen, they’re flying. They’re flying. Daryl and Anton have done unbelievably well.
They’ve probably looked at Scunthorpe and Boreham Wood last year, how they got promoted and then Boreham Wood nearly went up and Scunthorpe in the play-offs.
They’re newly promoted and they’ll be thinking we’ve got a chance and they’ve started unbelievably well.
It’s going to be tough. They’re third in the league, four wins out of five, momentum, but we have to have that mentality of let’s keep doing what we’re doing. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Because hopefully, if we can create chances, we’ve just got to be more ruthless and clinical in the final third.
PF: Fans will point to Ryan Inniss at the heart of the Hornchurch defence. I guess you know he’ll be a presence in both boxes.
Robbie Savage: Yeah, he’s had a strong start. For this football club, he was very, very good.
So again, we’ve got a couple come up against a few of our other players this season and they’ll have a point to prove to me probably, which I understand.
I’ve been a player. I get it. You know, I get it, I understand.
So, yeah, we’ve just got to go out there, be a team, be a group, be together, which we are, and give everything to try and get a positive result.
PF: Without Josh Osude up front, I guess that enforces at least one change. How do you review the options that you’ve got up there? I guess Ricardo Rees and D’Mani Mellor are vying for that position up top.
Robbie Savage: Brilliant forwards, brilliant forwards. Ricardo Rees, so thankful we have him. D’Mani, so thankful we have him.
D’Mani can play, you know, when you look at the profile of the team in the 4-2-3-1, we believe we can exploit Hornchurch, you know, down the sides, so that the profile of the game might require a number 10 who can run in behind, so it might be a case that they both start.
So, yeah, but we’re delighted to have them. You know, with Kyle McAllister again, he’s got a goal, Sean Etaluku looks such a danger.
Do I move Tate Campbell up one and bring in Kyle Ajayi, so all these things go through your head but the structure of the team is good, the belief is unbelievable.
I still believe this group, after when we get through this turbulent period, can achieve great things. I believe in them, I really do.
And hopefully, which I know by the boys, they believe in their manager. That’s what I believe because they’ve been in and they were worried about me, which is nice.
But again, I just said to them, listen, don’t worry about me. I’ll take it on my shoulders for you guys. Let me take the stick because I want to protect you.
I want to protect you and go out there and play with the freedom and hopefully we can do that.
Ash Loveridge: Robbie, is there a fundamental difference between losing as a player or manager? Is there a difference?
Robbie Savage: Massive difference. As a player, you can go home and I was different. I used to take it to her and one or two days didn’t speak.
As a manager you’ve got the whole community on your shoulders and you know subconsciously you’re thinking if I lose more games and more games and more games will the inevitable happen?
As a player you’re securing a contract.
So that’s a big difference because, but I just want to do so well for people who give me an opportunity and inevitably I believe that this group will come through because it’s a great group.
You’ve interviewed them. Do we lack a little bit of experience? Yeah, but that was the model in which we wanted to go down.
Who’s that player on the pitch that’s pulling everybody together? Yeah, we’ve got leaders in terms of the way they play.
Mendy was a leader, but not vocally. Kyle McAllister is a leader, not vocally. We haven’t got many players who are that vocal on the pitch. Maybe we missed one, of course, but inevitably the group’s great.
Ash Loveridge: Is this the trickiest moment of your career? You’ve been a player, you’re now a manager. Is this the toughest moment in your football life?
Robbie Savage: No, the trickiest moment is when you break your leg and you’re thinking you’re ever going to play again and then the comeback and then you lose doubt on yourself.
Tricky moments when I got released by Man United and told I wasn’t good enough. I had a car crash on the way home and then I had to tell your parents that you’ve been released by Man United, but again, they’re at their son’s hospital bed making sure he’s okay.
So I had lots of tricky moments, being told I wasn’t good enough.
So this is a tricky moment in terms of how do we get through it with my players.
But I’ve said to the players, listen, you’re healthy, you’ve got great families, just go and play with the freedom and let me take it, the criticism for you.
Because I’m their manager and I’m the one who’s got to galvanise them. And we are, we will.
But yeah, it’s three defeats and five games. It’s 41 games to go and 123 points to play for.
Ash Loveridge: And naturally you’re a winner, so it must be a test.
Robbie Savage: Yeah, a winner in terms of not trophies wise, because Chris Sutton will say the Three Handled Cup. I’m a winner in terms of what I’ve achieved.
I was a fighter. I was a fighter. I achieved great things as a player because it didn’t come easy.
And it doesn’t come easy to a manager. I’ve helped build a football club and give a community a football club back in Macclesfield.
I’ve hopefully, you know, given Dale his football club back in terms of the enjoyment and the environment.
And now 15 months in, we’ve just got to trust the process. And it might be bumpy, it certainly is bumpy, but let’s see what happens.
But I think one thing I’ve got in people around me is people who can see it also, and people who are honest and transparent.
But fans don’t see all that, they just see win-lose or draw and performances. And inevitably, that’s what the outside world is.
Ash Loveridge: Yourself and Mark Bowen, your sporting director, are mic’d up during a game.
Robbie Savage: No, I’m not.
Ash Loveridge: Are you not? Oh, I thought, oh, he’s mic’d up to somebody. Not to me. No. Okay. But how important is he during the 90 minutes?
Robbie Savage: Yeah, well, we don’t really communicate throughout the 90 minutes. I look up sometimes, you know, but he’s a massive support every day, every day.
I’m always asking him questions as everybody else has been around me.
So yeah, Mark’s been, you’ve seen Mark. Mark’s had an unbelievable career, majority in the Premier League, you know, and his experience now will help me.
Ash Loveridge: Frank Gregan did a nice piece in Stroud Times this week. How important is it to have that support of a former Forest Green manager? Because that’s quite an unusual thing to happen really.
Robbie Savage: Yeah, it took me by surprise in all the Stroud Times, which was brilliant locally.
Frank came to a game last year towards the end of the season and I think he could see it, he could feel it, what we’re building.
And it was really nice. I thanked him when I seen it. But to say they’ve got a good ‘un, yeah, hopefully I am.
But people were just judged on results. But he’s been in a situation and some of the words rang true. I thought it was fair.
And all I’ve ever asked is for people to be fair. And if you look at the whole 15 months, we’re doing a brilliant job, a brilliant job.
But for Frank to write those words meant a lot, meant a lot.
And I think people are with us and it’s us. But again, it’s 41 games to go, 123 points.
And listen, whatever happens, we’ve got a great group and we’re a brilliant football club, we’re brilliant people. And hopefully that may continue for a long time.
Ash Loveridge: Just going back to Frank Gregan, he made a reference about your nostrils. Not that you’ve got large nostrils, but the fact that, you know, it’s Robbie Savage. There is this thing around Robbie Savage.
Robbie Savage: I have a lot of problems, but that only one goes in from three broken noses.
Ash Loveridge: No, but it basically meant if you sneeze, people want to know which nostril it’s coming out of – it’s an analogy.
Robbie Savage: Yeah, that’s what, it was brilliant, it was true. That’s what happens when you’ve got a high profile and a lot of people want you to fail.
It was a great analogy. And yeah, he’s right, he’s right. Yeah, and that’s what being me is.
But being me is, I wouldn’t change it. I wouldn’t change it because I’m really happy, really comfortable, really excited about what this group can achieve.
Ash Loveridge: I also noticed one of your many tattoos has ‘adversity’ on it and does it motivate you?
Robbie Savage: Yeah, as a player. My family motivate me. You know, everybody motivates me. I motivate myself.
I try and bring people with me. So again, we’re having a little sticky period, it’s little one as Frank said, tiny.
And it might go on for a few weeks, but inevitably this group and I will come out the other side because we’re fighters and yeah, it’s exciting.
It’s a real challenge and one I’m looking forward to.
Ash Loveridge: Finally, I just want to ask you, you’ve got a new analyst in Christian Rieger. Could you tell us a little bit about Christian and how he’s settling in?
Robbie Savage: Yeah, since he’s been in, we’ve not won a game yet! So he needs to be better. I’m kidding, I’m kidding.
He has been a breath of fresh air. Christian’s come in, he is a great kid, brilliant, honestly. His analysis is brilliant, he’s in depth. He was at the World Cup with FIFA, local boy.
So yeah, been a breath of fresh air for us and we continue to be that. You know, I love working with him.
You know, we’ll have a meeting now, we speak all week every day about little fine margins.
And what I try and do, Ash, is, so I’ve looked at Hornchurch myself, my staff looked at Hornchurch, and what I’m not going to do to my analysis is say, right, this is what I want, clip all this up.
I let him look at it and then we put it together because he might see something which I haven’t, and vice versa, and we put it together, we share it and then we put one piece together for the players.
So again, he’s got freedom because I don’t want to tell him you’ve got to do this, this, this. I want him to come up with his solutions and I have my solutions and if we put them together then we’ve got us one and then we can go and put a game plan together after that.
Ash Loveridge: It sounds like a number of your staff, he’s young and he’s got a bright future in the game.
Robbie Savage: Yeah, he has, he’s brilliant, really good and I’m delighted to have him.
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