Full of vim and vigour, Forest Green boss Robbie Savage praised his players’ resilience and tactical flexibility after a hard-fought win away at Halifax, which saw Rovers leap to the top of the embryonic National League table.
GAFFER TAPES: Robbie Savage delivers his post-match synopsis to BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Paul Furley after Rovers’ 2-1 victory at Halifax Town. Listen to Savage’s unabridged interview below.
GAFFER TAPES: Robbie Savage
Substitute Kairo Mitchell’s 77th-minute goal earned Rovers a 2-1 victory at The Shay. Earlier, Savage’s side nosed ahead in the 23rd minute when Yahya Bamba was on hand to strike after Sam Johnson blocked Tom Knowles’ effort.
Halifax responded on the cusp of the break, Jay Turner-Cooke curling in a free-kick to level the score on his debut after leaving Newcastle.
Mitchell, who replaced the injured Christian Doidge five minutes before half-time, bagged what proved to be the winner after being picked out by a drilled Knowles cross. The outstanding Neil Kengni struck the bar late on for table-topping Rovers.
Savage’s joy was palpable as he celebrated with the Rovers’ fans. He told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: “I got a bit of stick off the Halifax fans, which I love and it’s always nice to look up afterwards with a big smile on my face and celebrate with our fans and go home with three points.”
Savage felt his side deserved huge credit: “Let’s be honest, in the first 15 minutes they had a couple of chances and got their goal. We didn’t really play the free-flowing football we can. But we weathered the storm, changed shape at the right time, and the lads deserve huge credit for how they stuck at it.”
Rovers have now made it three wins from their opening four games, moving to 10 points from a possible 12 and Savage insists the early season league leaders more than deserve this: “Halifax is a big football club at our level – a league club. Sutton United were in the league not so long ago, Yeovil in the league not so long ago. You know, we’ve destroyed Yeovil, we’ve destroyed Sutton . Halifax deserve a point, but I don’t really care what they deserve, we’ve got the win.”
Tom Knowles earned special praise from Savage for his influence at both ends of the pitch: “Magnificent – he had a hand in both goals and blocked countless crosses. He showed today exactly why I believe in him.”
Goalkeeper Luke McNicholas was also singled out after a crucial second-half save. Savage said: “That was a world-class save. If it goes in, maybe heads drop, but instead it gave us belief. I’m tough on him at times, but he can be a match-winner – and he was.”
Meanwhile, Neil Kengi impressed with his defensive work and attacking threat, rattling the crossbar with a long-range strike.
“That was the performance I’ve been waiting for. He was sensational – heart, desire, blocking crosses, and showing real quality.”
There was less positive news on the injury front. Christian Doidge is facing a spell on the sidelines with an MCL problem, while Jilly Buybau was forced out of the squad with a hamstring issue.
“It could be anything from two weeks to three months for Doidge depending on the grade. Jilly felt tight in the warm-up, so we’ll scan him. With the way we play and how intense we are, we may have to look at the market for another forward.”
Savage was enthused by the travelling support in Yorkshire.
“Our fans today made more noise than the home crowd, and I’m proud of that. I take my hat off to our fans for travelling long distances.
“We might not get the biggest numbers, but the passion is unmatched. Monday we go again at home, and I can’t wait to see them behind the goal.”
Halifax Town: Johnson; Tarima (Pugh 82), Hobson (Turner-Cooke 33), Adetoro, Latty-Fairweather; Johnson, Hugill; Bray (Capello 82), Hmami, Cooke; Kawa.
Subs not used: Ford, Crowe, Sutcliffe, Jenkins.
Forest Green Rovers: McNicholas; McAllister (Inniss 71), Kanu, Moore-Taylor, Kengni; Whitwell (Moore 56), Mendy; Knowles, Haughton (Clarke 56), Bamba (Cardwell 71); Doidge (Mitchell 40).
Subs not used: Pagel, Buyabu. Pemberton.
Referee: Gareth Rhodes.
Attendance: 1,380 (106 away).
Next up: Rovers return to action on Monday, when they host Eastleigh (3pm kick-off).
