Forest Green boss Robbie Savage admitted he is a “changed man” after watching his side launch their National League campaign with an impressive 3-2 comeback victory over FC Halifax Town.
Rovers trailed to debutant Will Flint’s early opener but produced a dominant second-half response, with Swindon Town loanee Filozofe Mabete heading them level before Sean Etaluku stunner from the edge of the box and a composed finish from captain Kyle McAllister completed the turnaround for the Gloucestershire side.
The Shaymen left it late when Zak Gilsenan curled home a superb free-kick in the fifth minute of added time.
Savage, who guided Rovers to the play-off eliminator last season, revealed some soul searching with the New Lawn top brass has seen him take on a more relaxed demeanour on the touchline.
““I’ve learnt a lot about myself in the summer,” he admitted.
“I’ve done my A Licence course with the Welsh FA, listened to people, listened to good people, spoke to ex-managers about how to deal with my emotions better.”
Savage also revealed the influence of those closest to him, including owner Dale Vince and vice-chairman Asif Rehmanwala, adding: “Asif has really helped me with it also, and Dale, just to control my emotion a little bit better when it’s not going too well.”
That new-found composure was certainly tested during a difficult opening 45 minutes, with Rovers falling behind inside 10 minutes and struggling to find their rhythm despite Wycombe loanee James Berry hitting the foot of the post.
But rather than panic, Savage kept his cool and was confident his side would turn the game around.
“We grew into the game and at half-time I was calm,” he said.
“I knew at 55 minutes. Usually, at half-time last season, I would have been too emotional and made changes straight away. I think we’ve all seen that.
“Even though I knew the substitutes would have an impact, I just thought, ‘No, let’s be calm.’ I believed we could score goals against this side and that they would get tired.
“Previously, I would probably have waited a bit longer, but I thought 55 minutes was the right time. It was a triple change, and thankfully it worked.
“I said, listen, 10 minutes, you know, we’ve got the subs, the finishers to come on. And I had no doubt in my mind that we’d create chances.”
Savage’s faith was rewarded as Rovers came flying out after the interval, Mabete heading them level just three minutes into the second half from a McAllister cross before Etaluku struck from the edge of the box and McAllister’s fizzer completed the comeback.
The Rovers boss was also impressed by the fitness levels of his revamped squad, particularly against a Halifax side he believes will cause plenty of problems this season.
“Our fitness levels showed,” he said. “I thought they were very good. John’s (McGrath) got them playing some wonderful football.
“The way they rotate, the way they find the spare man, get the overload. They’re a very, very good side.”
And beating such a well-drilled Halifax outfit on the opening day has only strengthened Savage’s belief in his new-look Rovers.
“To beat them on the opening day is brilliant for us,” he added. “It should give us huge confidence.”
McGrath admitted his side’s second-half collapse was “not good enough” after seeing the Yorkshire side surrender a half-time lead.
McGrath felt the Shaymen had been excellent before the break, but was frustrated by the manner in which Rovers turned the game around.
“It’s the old adage, isn’t it? Game of two halves,” he said.
Expecting a Rovers onslaught, McGrath had urged his players to remain patient at the interval, particularly given the conditions and the need to manage possession.
“We spoke at half-time about the importance of keeping the ball and keeping it in good areas because you’re playing in 28-degree heat, you’re away from home, but it’s a tough one to take because obviously we played really well, but the second half is not good enough,” he said.
Forest Green Rovers: (4-2-3-1) McNicholas 6; Agina 7, Etaluku 8, Obi 5 ( Campbell 37, 7), Mabete 9; Clarke 8, Ewing 6 (Kelly 77, 6); Berry 6 (Kengni 55, 7), Patrick 7 (Osude 55, 7 ), McAllister 7; Mellor 6 (Rees 55,6 ).
Subs not used: Ross Haughton.
FC Halifax Town: (4-2-3-1) Grant 6; Bardell 6, Conte 6, Hobson 6 (Crowe 77, 6 and replaced by- Warburton 83), Flint 7; Johnson 6 (Trusty 83), Hugil 7; Tolitt 7 (Allen 64, 6 ), Gilsenan 7; Carty 7 (Morgan-Smith 64, 6 ).
Subs not used: Johnson, Kawa.
Full-time: Forest Green 3 ( Mabete 48, Etaluku 59, McAllister 79 ) FC Halifax Town 2 (Flint 9, Gilsenan 90+5)
Half time: Forest Green 0 FC Halifax Town 1
Referee: Lewis Sandoe
Star man: (Filozofe Mabete- Forest Green, defender).
Attendance: 1,737
Rating: 4 /5
Match statistics
FGR/ HALIFAX TOWN
Shots on target:10 / 5
Shots off target: 2 / 5
Corners: 8 / 5
Offside: 1 / 0
Fouls: 12 / 7
Yellow cards: 1 / 2
Red cards: 0 / 0
