Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Forest Green boss Robbie Savage admitted he wants more from his side despite a 4-2 victory over Tamworth.
Listen to Robbie Savage’s unabridged post-match synopsis – high praise for Temi Babalola, Nick Haughton, why he demands more from his team, ground staff credit and much more
Rovers climbed up to third in the table after Temi Babalola struck twice, his first goals for the club, while Kyle McAllister and Nick Haughton were also on target against a Tamworth side, who were reduced to ten when Jordan Cullinane-Liburd was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Coventry City loanee Issac Moore.
Savage explained that his emotion is part of how he motivates his players. “We’ve just scored three goals, four tonight, seven goals in two games, but we need to be better. That’s me. I’m an emotional character. I’m an emotional guy. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I do as a player and I do as a manager. At times, because the game is comfortable, every word I shout on can be heard.”
“And again, if that’s negative or positive, but that’s me. That’s me. I was like that as a player and I’m like that as a manager. If people expect me just to sit there, stand there, show no emotion, then that’s not what I do. That’s not what I do. I try and galvanise people, try and get the best out of people. And again, I can take criticism. I’ve taken criticism all my life.
Savage reflected on criticism he has faced throughout his career and how it shaped him as a manager.
“I’ve been on the end of some of the harshest criticisms from managers, like on TV, my manager said, I have no ability whatsoever. Again, so I can take it. But you’ve got to react, you’ve got to get better.
“And listen, I can learn. I can learn about my emotion, but that’s me. And we have to be positive. We’ve got a brilliant football club. They got brilliant supporters, to turn out, in the rain and the wind on a cold night, and was brilliant. Hopefully, there’ll be more here at the weekend, but they’ve done some long journeys recently, and now we look ahead to another huge game. If you can get four on the bounce against Gateshead, we’ve got a look who’s going to be available, though, because we’ve got a few injuries.”
Savage was asked about withdrawing Ryan Inniss at the interval, he responded: “It’s an emotional game, you know, he’s been my captain, he’s been brilliant for this football club for me. So again, you know, we’ll see what happens over the week and we’ll see what team I pick on on Saturday. But listen, he’s been brilliant for me. And again, I think defensively tonight at times against 10, we looked vulnerable.”
Despite being reduced to ten men, the Lambs took a shock lead on 15 minutes. A Haydn Hollis long clearance found former Cheltenham Town striker Manny Duku. The forward beat Ryan Inniss in a footrace and coolly chipped Harry Isted to put the visitors 1–0 ahead.
Rovers were forced into an early change when captain Jordan Moore-Taylor picked up an ankle injury, paving the way for Haughton to make an early entrance from the bench. The substitute’s introduction proved influential as Rovers began to dominate possession and press forward with intent.
Haughton saw a powerful drive tipped wide by Jasbir Singh, while Jayden Clarke, McAllister, and Moore all had efforts blocked as Rovers increased the pressure. Babalola went close with a spectacular bicycle kick that grazed the post from McAllister’s delivery.
The equaliser finally arrived in the 34th minute when Clarke was felled inside the box. McAllister made no mistake from the spot, drilling the penalty home despite Singh getting a hand to it.
Rovers nosed ahead with Babalola getting on the end of a well-worked Clarke and McAllister corner and the faintest of touches from Mendy. Rovers’ renewed energy was palpable – Moore’s buccaneering drive into the box saw the Coventry teenager fizz into the side netting from an acute angle as he attempted to avoid the advancing Singh.
Savage made a tactical switch at the interval, replacing Inniss with Abraham Kanu, as Rovers sought to maintain their grip on the contest.
Rovers came out swinging after the break – Whitwell spanking over from distance and the impressive Clarke seeing Singh on song.
Their persistence paid off on the hour mark. Buyabu’s teasing cross from the left was met by Babalola, who rose highest to nod home his second of the night and give Rovers a 3–1 cushion.
Babalola almost completed his hat-trick moments later but couldn’t make clean contact with Tom Knowles’ inviting cross.
Haughton then put the result beyond doubt with a moment of individual brilliance in the 81st minute. Driving forward from midfield, he unleashed a precise low strike from outside the area that nestled in the corner to make it 4–1.
Tamworth pulled one back almost immediately when Joseph Rye rose unmarked to head past Isted, but Rovers remained in control in the closing stages. McAllister was denied by Singh from close range, while Knowles forced another excellent save in stoppage time.
Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Innis (Kanu HT), Mendy, McAllister, Clarke (Dausch 75), Moore-Taylor (Haughton 21), Moore (Bunker 61), Pemberton (Knowles 61), Buyabu, Whitwell, Babalola
Subs not used: Pagel, Kengi
Booked: Whitwell 45+6, Buyabu 89
Tamworth: Singh; Cockerill-Mollett (Curley 66), Cullinane-Liburd, Digie, Donkor; Bates, Tonks; Enoru (Lynch 76), Ponticelli (Hollis 09), Maher (Rye 66); Duku (Creaney 76)
Subs not used: Mols, De Silva
Booked: Tonks 45+1, Bates 90+2
Red card: Cullinane-Liburd 05
Attendance: 1,442 44 (away)
Star Man: Laurent Mendy
