Forest Green manager Duncan Ferguson is hopeful his side can bounce back against Lincoln City today, Saturday after the heavy defeat at Ipswich Town last time out.
The side are yet to record a win in Ferguson’s first five games and Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing at Portman Road was was the most disappointing of his tenure so far.
Ferguson said: “It was quite a heavy defeat against Ipswich, so you need to put that one to the side quickly. Making sure we’re working on patterns of play for the coming match, but also some feel-good factor sessions as well to pick the players up psychologically.”
“We were all a bit tender. You’ve got to pick yourself up and go again on the Monday. I’ve been quite encouraged by what I’ve seen on the training ground.”
Another difficult task awaits on the weekend, with the visiting side on a six-match unbeaten run in Sky Bet League One after two wins and four draws leaving them 15th. Forest Green, however, are now nine points from safety at the bottom of the table.
“What is easy for Forest Green? What match is easy? We’ve played teams in the top half of the table, and we’ve had one team in the bottom half but they’re all above us. The team hasn’t won a game since December so we’re on a bad run, we’re underdogs in every game, but I believe in the team, in the players, and up until Ipswich, who are a very good team, I’m confident they’re heading in the right direction,” added Ferguson.
The boss also gave an update on the players recovering from injury for Saturday’s fixture, including a boost for Kyle McAllister’s chance of proving his fitness.
Ferguson said: “In the last couple of days [McAllister’s injury] has eased off and he’s been doing some jogging on the grass, and some light ball work. He could be close for Saturday, Dylan (McGeouch) the same. He had a tight hamstring, but he trained today and looked okay.”
“Ben Stevenson missed a few days of training with shin splints, he’s back in. Charlie Savage tweaked his knee earlier in the week but he’s back training, so we’ve had three or four who have caught up. Most are out on the grass. Jordon Garrick is back and trained well, Baily Cargill had a scan on his knee, he’s not been training, but he’ll probably be back in the coming week.”
