GAFFER TAPES: Robbie Savage delivers his post-match synopsis to the media after Rovers’ 1-0 victory over Eastleigh on Bank Holiday Monday. Listen to Savage’s unabridged interview below.
Forest Green boss Robbie Savage heaped praise on his backroom staff after his side snatched a dramatic last-gasp 1-0 victory over Eastleigh to stay top of the table.
Red-hot substitute Tom Knowles curled in a stunning 94th-minute free-kick to seal a 2-1 win, making it four victories and a draw from the opening five games of the season.
Beaming Savage admitted that pushing defender Ryan Inniss up front in the dying moments proved decisive — and credited his staff for the call.
Savage said: “It was Dan Connor who said, let’s stick big Ryan up front. I questioned it, but he said Inniss would be a threat. I don’t take any credit for that because it was my staff. Dan deserves huge credit today. It’s a collaborative effort — Dan knows the players better than me, John McMahon is a better coach, Mark (Bowen) is my sporting director and his knowledge of football is better than mine. It’s a team effort.”
Reflecting on the contest, Savage added: “Eastleigh’s game plan nearly worked but it didn’t, because we showed another side to us like we did on Saturday. It was my wife’s first game watching me so I’m delighted we got a win.”
Savage also praised the officials after a stop-start encounter that saw eight minutes of added time. “Credit to the officials — from minute one they were slowing the game down, so the eight additional minutes were fair. We scored late and deservedly so.”
The Forest Green boss reserved his final words for the club’s supporters.
“The fans have been brilliant. Just look at the size of the crowd today. We had a ‘kids go free’ day and after the game I went and gave some shirts away. The atmosphere during and after the game was brilliant.”
Forest Green Rovers: McNicholas; Pemberton, Kanu, Moore-Taylor, Kengni (Cardwelli 72) Moore (Knowles 54), Mendy; McAllister (Inniss 81), Haughton (Whitwell 46), Clarke (Bamba 46); Mitchell.
Subs not used: Pagel, Bunker.
Eastleigh: Townsend; Brindley, Eweka, Fernandez (Holzman 46), Pierre, Harris; Waruih, Cousins; Evans (Lundstram 54, Davis 84), Blair (Ingram 84), Taylor (Underhill 74).
Subs not used: McNamara.
Referee: Aaron Farmer.
Attendance: 2,203 (128 away).
Next up: Rovers travel to Braintree on Saturday, 3pm.
