Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage says several players on the fringes of his squad have rejected loan moves away from the club.
Midfielders Liam Sercombe and Adam May, defenders Cian Harries and Sean Long, plus striker Harry Cardwell are currently out of the first-team picture. Savage confirmed opportunities had arisen for them to go out, but moves were declined.
GAFFER TAPES: Listen to Robbie Savage’s unabridged pre-match press conference with Ash Loveridge, Steve Kitchen and Rhys Anderson.
“One or two of the lads who are not in the squad have had opportunities to go on loan, but they’ve rejected it, which is their prerogative. Again, that’s their decision. They’ve got to make the right decision for themselves and their family and their lifestyle.
“We’ve had one or two phone calls which the players have decided not to go, which is fine, but no problem with that. I’m sure they’ll get opportunities whether it’s before Christmas or when the window opens, to go in January.
“Listen, there’s a lot of things you have to weigh up as a player. Where the loan club is, what the permanent club is, if you’ve got kids in school, what your family situation is, life-work balance, financially, how does it benefit you?
“I went to Brighton, I was captain at Derby, but I went to the Withdean Stadium for a month. It was one of the best months of my career because I was low, I wasn’t playing. It rekindled my love for football. Perhaps players are waiting for me to get the sack – I don’t know. But it’s not going to happen just yet, I hope. Every player is different. I can’t tell them what to do – I’ll support them whatever.”
Savage conceded the midweek draw at Boston felt like “a defeat”, his lowest moment so far as boss, but reminded himself that Forest Green sit top of the National League, unbeaten.
“It sounds like we’ve lost five. That’s how I felt after the game. And then I’ve got to pinch myself and think, how lucky are we? We’re top of the National League, unbeaten, and the best goal difference in the country.”
If Savage’s playing career was built on raw energy, his managerial approach has so far been defined by measured control. But the trip to Lincolnshire tested that resolve in a frustrating draw: “You need to speak to players in a way you’d want to be spoken to – with emotion and a tone where they know you’re serious. I let the players do the talking after the game. Ryan [Inniss] and Jordy [Moore-Taylor], the senior players, agreed. Good changing rooms are led by good players, and we’ve got that.
“The easiest thing would’ve been to bring them in the next day, watch a video, dissect it, scream and shout. But no – we’re unbeaten, we’re doing unbelievably well. It was a time for reflection. Maybe I even owe them a little apology, because I questioned whether they worked hard enough. The stats prove they did. That was probably my frustration, my emotion, because the first thought you have as a manager is ‘we’re not running.’ But we were.”
Savage’s tenure is already marked by a visible shift in momentum around the club, he added: “Attendance is up by 20%, social media is up by 350%, the lounges are full, we’ve got new fans. I’m probably the trendiest manager in the league on the touchline, so again, everything’s all right.”
For the visit of second-place Rochdale, Savage is expecting a bumper crowd: “We’ve got another shirt giveaway from the owner Dale Vince – he’s so passionate about this football club, his staff are so passionate, our fans are passionate. Average attendances are up by 20%. I’m sure we’ll get another nearly 2,800, probably more because Rochdale will fill their end.
“So I think we could have an attendance over 3,000 at the weekend, which would be brilliant. I want to see all those green shirts, generations of families. I want to hear that drum getting banged. The support we’ve had is magnificent. I want us as a club to not fear failure. Let’s have a go, everybody. And I’m sure we will.”
Savage confirmed teenagers Harry Whitwell and Issac Moore will return after being rested, while Christian Doidge is likely to start alongside Kairo Mitchell in a two-striker system.
Savage said: “We’ll come up with a plan – me, John [McMahon], Mark [Bowen], my staff – to see how we can win a game of football.”
With Kyle McAllister out injured, a new attacking signing is also expected after the FA Cup.
“We’re looking to bring an attacking player in probably next week, after the FA Cup. That’s what we’re looking at, especially now with the news of Kyle [McAllister] and his broken hand.
“Defensively, we’re fine. Bunks (Harvey Bunker) can play in there, Mendy can play, but I don’t like taking Mendy out of the centre. I think it’ll be another attacking forward we’re looking at. Conversations have been had, and hopefully we can get something agreed in the next couple of weeks.”
Savage admitted he’s the ultimate perfectionist: “All my life I’ve made sure that everything I’ve done, I’ve done to the best of my ability and done everything right. If I fail in something, which I don’t intend to, I know I’ve done everything I possibly can to be the most successful manager I can be. And that’s what I’ve done all my life. That’s how I did as a player, that’s what I’ve done in punditry with my research, and that’s what I’m doing now as a manager, but I can’t do that without my team.
“And again, I’ve started dressing like a manager. People have said I have to smarten up. And right now, I think the boys, every time I walk in the dressing room, are going ‘phew, gaffer’s had a go there.'”
