Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage has revealed that a club record fee has been agreed for Laurent Mendy with Scottish Premiership side, Hearts, after a 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers in pre-season.
Goals from D’Mani Mellor and James Berry were cancelled out by a second-half brace from Tommy Leigh to share the spoils.
“A deal has been agreed; it is not finalised yet. Mendy has not travelled to Edinburgh yet for his medical,” Savage said on the current club captain.
“The fee has been reported, but I can say that the fee that we have agreed will be a club record fee received. If all targets are met, it will be close on seven figures. That for this football club is quite remarkable. I will speak about it properly when everything is signed and finalised, but it is an opportunity for Mendy to change his life. This club has shown now that we can recruit players from lower. It is not done yet, but I will speak more about it if and when it is done.”
Savage’s side dominated early on as Kyle McAllister’s in-swinging corner found Mellor’s head for a brilliant effort nine minutes in to put Forest Green in front in a deserved fashion.
Pics: Peter Barnes
Forest Green doubled their lead just eight minutes after when a superb ball was played through to Berry by McAllister, whose low curling effort beat former Cheltenham Town goalkeeper, Luke Southwood with ease.
“What a performance for 60 minutes. Let’s be totally honest, we should have had five or six. That is not an exaggeration; they could have had one or two, but we were disappointed to go in at half-time 2-0 up. Steve (Evans) brought on their stronger players for the last 20 minutes. It was a proper game, tackles going in, it was brilliant.
“It was great to manage against Steve (Evans) and Paul (Raynor), I famously played against their Crawley Town side when they beat Derby County in the FA Cup (in 2011). He always reminds me of that, it was great to manage them against them and they have got a good side there, but we were absolutely outstanding.”
Savage’s side were entertaining to watch throughout. On the excitement of the encounter, he said: “It was enjoyable to watch, we watched the World Cup final and I fell asleep, I was going to go to bed. They are unbelievable players, but I want my team to attack. I am not likening our team to Spain or Argentina before anyone says it. We want it to be entertaining, fun and full of energy.”
Bristol Rovers were back in the game with just over 15 minutes to go when substitute, Leigh, found the back of the net after a parried shot found his path for an easy finish.
Leigh stole the show in the 91st minute with a brilliant curling effort into the top corner that was laid off to him by former Forest Green striker, Joe Quigley.
Before the game began, both sides joined in a minute’s applause for former Liverpool and Newcastle forward, Kevin Keegan, who passed away at the age of 75.
Savage’s side are next in action on Saturday when they host Cardiff City in their fifth pre-season friendly (3:00pm kick-off).
Forest Green Rovers 2 (Mellor 9, Berry 17)
Bristol Rovers 2 (Leigh 74, 90+1)
Forest Green Rovers (4-2-3-1): McNicholas; Agina (Pemberton 59), Obi (Merrett 59), Ajayi (Kircough 59), Kengni (Robson 59); Campbell (Walsh 59), Ewing (Clarke); Etaluku (Conteh 55), McAllister (Haughton 59), Berry (Bonnick 59); Mellor (Mitchell 59).
Subs not used: Pagel.
Bristol Rovers (4-1-2-1-2): Southwood (Young 69); James (Balmer 69), Kilgour (Mola 69), Kelly (Purrington 69), Moore (Cavegn 69); McEachran (Harbottle 69); De Havilland (Leigh 69), Aitchison (Quigley 69); Kamwa (Forde 69); Omochere (Southam-Hales 69), Harrison (Howley 46, Smallwood 69).
Half time: Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Bristol Rovers
Star man: Kyle McAllister (Forest Green Rovers, attacking midfielder)
Attendance: 1144 (382 away)
Rating: 4/5
