We sat down with Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage, who is as honest as he is animated.
From the congested National League promotion race to the standout performances of Kyle McAllister, Savage reflects on his team’s culture, tactical flexibility, recruitment plans, and the long-term ambitions that drive the club forward. Along the way, he also shares a fascinating insight into why so many former midfielders end up in the dugout.
Listen to Robbie Savage’s unabridged chat with Ash Loveridge now
Ash Loveridge: The top of the table is so tight, nobody seems to be getting away. Do you still believe your team can be in the promotion mix, as in the title?
Robbie Savage: We’re still in it. Of course we are. Will we win it right now? Probably not. Let’s be totally honest – I’m always honest and transparent. Can we finish second or third? Yes, I think we can, for a home semi-final. Can we finish fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh? One hundred per cent.
So if we don’t get in the play-offs from now, it’ll be a real disappointment. But the aim when I came in was to create a brand of football that everybody is entertained by – dynamic, hungry and to change the culture. And we’ve done that. I didn’t expect us to be where we are right now, playing as well as we have, where draws become such a disappointment because we haven’t won. That’s a testament to my group.
Ash: And do you still believe that anyone who finishes above York will win the league? Is that still what you stand by?
Robbie: I think York and Rochdale are probably the two favourites. Carlisle should be the favourites in my opinion, but I don’t think they’ll win it either.
Boreham Wood have been quite incredible – they could win it because of the way they play. And Scunthorpe – wow – what a season they’re having. Two of the promoted sides, brilliant.
So everybody in the top seven right now has a real chance. It’s a season where you can’t call the winners, and you couldn’t guarantee who’s going to win the play-offs. It’s unbelievable – but it’s brilliant.
Ash: I just want to ask you about Kyle McAllister. He’s probably been one of your standout players amongst a number of players. Where do you think Kyle’s best position is in the team? Could he, for instance, play off a big man up front?
Robbie: Yeah, he could. Kyle’s got 11 goals and five assists. This could be his best season in terms of return, which is a testament to him and to us trying to get the best out of him. In a 4-2-3-1 on the right-hand side, a 4-4-2 on the right-hand side, a 4-3-3 on the right-hand side — he can play as a midfield player and he can play off a Temi. But what Kyle likes to do is start on the right and drift into those areas. I’m not sure if starting him in that number ten position gets the best out of Kyle. I think he likes to get the ball on the half-turn on the right-hand side and drive in on his left, then end up in that central position.
He’s got all the tools to be one of the best players in the league this year — and he certainly has been. He’s been brilliant around the place, a great individual, and it’s a pleasure for me to work with him and to have him in the football club.
Ash: And is he one of those players you say “just go out and play”, or is it complete structure for them? Can he express himself?
Robbie: You can ask any of the players at this football club. Go and pick anybody you want and ask them. For me, players have to be honest and as a manager, I’m honest. What I say on here is replicated to the players. Go and play with freedom. Of course we have structure. We have principles of play, build-up phase, mid-phase, final third – all of that. But when you get to that end third, do what you want. Express yourself. Kyle’s done that and he’s been absolutely magnificent for us.
Ash: You touched on the 4-4-2 system earlier. Do you think it’s come back in fashion – or have you started that trend?
Robbie: You can see teams set up in a 4-2-3-1 but defend in a 4-4-2. There are numerous ways to use it. The worry in recent years is that you want three in midfield to control the area. But I look at our dynamic and our pace – that’s where we hurt teams. We’ve got athletic wide players, two full-backs, pace at centre-half, dynamic midfielders and a centre-forward with pace.
We can start in a 4-4-2, but it can become a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3. Our players are flexible in any shape.
Ash: We ran a story yesterday about Rene Meulensteen, the ex-Man United coach, who said you’ve got the charisma and talent to manage in the Championship one day. What do you feel when you hear that?
Robbie: It’s nice, of course. But it’s not just me -it’s my management team and my players. The reason I’m sitting here fifth in the National League is because of my players. Always will be. Right now we’re getting plaudits, but the players deserve every bit of that.
Of course it’s nice to hear people with such esteem, who’ve been in the game at the biggest clubs, noticing what we’re doing -not just me, we. Hopefully it’s with Forest Green. That would be the dream.
Ash: Dale Vince has said previously that the Championship would be his ultimate ambition for the club.
Robbie: Listen, there’ll be low times — or maybe there won’t be, because of the group we’ve built. I’m not saying I want to leave Forest Green. Of course I don’t. I want to take Forest Green as high as I possibly can in the time I’m here.
If that’s the Championship, great. If it’s still the National League and I can’t take the club any further, then that’s what will happen. But I’ve been backed by a brilliant owner who cares.
Whenever that point comes, I’ll look him in the eye, shake his hand and say thank you- because he’s been absolutely magnificent for me.
Ash: You mentioned on a podcast recently the possibility of a return of a player. Is there anything you can say about that?
Robbie: A lot of work to do on that. A lot of work to do. I’d suggest we probably need one more in midfield. I’m constantly watching games — I went to Leamington last night, I watched West Ham vs Chelsea U21s on Monday. I go to all games. I love watching football. We’re always profiling players to see if they fit us.
Ash: Frank Lampard, Martin O’Neill, Xabi Alonso, Diego Simeone, Robbie Savage. Why are so many midfielders managers?
Robbie: It’s a great question. I honestly don’t know the answer. Midfielders often captain teams. You see the whole picture – you help the defence, you help the forwards. That understanding probably helps.
A lot of defenders captain sides too because they see everything in front of them. But honestly, I don’t know. And when you started putting me in that bracket, I thought you were going to say they were all brilliant players – but then you mentioned me, and I knew that couldn’t be the answer.
