Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage hailed his players’ efforts so far this season but conceded his frustration is reaching boiling point after a flat, toothless Boxing Day showing at Brackley Town.
Promotion-chasing Rovers suffered only their third league defeat of the season as Michael Nottingham’s first-half strike secured a 1–0 victory for the home side.
Savage was quick to dismiss suggestions that giving his players Christmas Day off had any bearing on the result.
“That’s the third most we’ve run in sprint distance and high intensity all season. Giving them time to spend with their family on Christmas Day is not the reason we’ve lost today and I just hope this is a one-off — I’ll give them Christmas Day off next year.”
He insisted preparation for the Boxing Day match had been meticulous.
“I know we the staff prepared right and the lads prepared right as the running stats showed that.”
However, the embattled Rovers’ boss pointed the finger firmly at his side’s lack of punch in the final third, he said: “The lads have given everything in terms of running stats, inevitably now I’ve got to start looking at the fact that were missing so many chances and the quality is missing in the final third and it becomes why are they?
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“We finished with three centre forwards on the pitch creating one-on-ones, chances and invetiably missed chances againas well. Harry (Isted) our goalie was far and away our best player and that never really happens.
“We’ve worked hard and prepared right and if we win today people say it was right to give them a day off. The reason we’re having days off is because we get so many injuries and every injury is between six to eight weeks, so not short term. Laurent Mendy and Abraham Kanu didn’t train the day before to protect them as we only have two fit centre halves. Bunks (Harvey Bunker) suspended, Ryan Inniss and Jordan Moore-Taylor are both out. Jili Buyabu phones in the morning with flu and Jayden Clarke gets out of bed to play for us and that’s why he did 45 minutes.”
He credited Brackley for their victory but reminded his players of the standards at Forest Green.
“When I see Brackley and Gavin (Cowan, manager) they train two nights a week they won second ball and things dropped to them and they deserved to win the game, but not one of their players get in our team and all their players would love an opportunity to play in our team, to go full-time to have all their kit laid out by Gav our kitman who spends hours, two chefs every day at the training ground to create wonderful lunches, massages, the best gym in the league, three groundsman making sure the pitches are in the best condition every day – standing out in all weathers.”
Savage emphasised personal accountability.
“It’s a collective. I take massive responsibility and look at myself as I’m doing now sitting in my apartment now on my own away from my family over Christmas thats what you have to do if you want to be in football – sacrifice.
“Reflecting on that time now to think and digest it -I’m absolutely gutted. I feel for the fans. I was a fan of Macclesfield and I’m now a fan of Forest Green.”
He again reminded players of how fortunate they are.
“Our players have to realise pretty quickly how lucky they’re to be at one of the best clubs in non-league with the best facilities. We’ve done unbelievabe so far and I’m never going to throw my players under the bus – we’ve lost three games in 24 with 49 points, but today was a big massive question mark about mentality. Players need to realise how fortunate they’re to be at our football club.”
Savage stressed the culture of winning that the club demands.
“The culture over the last three years has seen two relegations and failed in the play-offs. I’m letting my staff own their own departments – whether it’s set pieces, sports science, but right now, I’m going to look at myself. And if people don’t want to be winners, or don’t want to go on this journey with me, then Dale (Vince), Mark (Bowen), Asif (Rehmanwala) and I – we’re winners, and we want to go on a journey.”
“I’m privileged to go to one of the best training grounds from League One down. We travel on the best coach with everything, then a beautiful hotel — Dale gives us everything. I just hope this is a one-off. I’ll give them Christmas Day off next year. I won’t accept that today – second balls, bad decision making and physically dominated. They’ve tried and worked hard and we haven’t lost because of Christmas Day.”
On the league challenge: “Boreham Wood have a game in hand. Rochdale have three games in hand and are three points clear. For us to catch them, they’d need to lose four games and we’d have to win every one — realistically, that’s not going to happen.
“Do I think this group is good enough to win the league? Yes. Do I think we will win it from where we are right now? Probably not. We’ve missed an incredible number of chances this season – I’d say more than any club in any division. That’s not about effort or preparation, it’s about quality in the moments that decide games.”
On individual performances: “The only outfield player who comes out with real credit is Temi. He worked tirelessly, ran himself into the ground, held people up and tried to bring others into play. He tried to get people close to him, but it didn’t come.”
Despite the frustrations, Savage garnered the positives: “On reflection, 29 games, only three defeats, and 20 new players – a consistency that I didn’t think would happen so soon with so many new faces. We have a group of players who fight for each other, but I never saw this performance coming, and we will endeavour to make sure this doesn’t happen again. I apologise to the nearly 400 fans who made the journey.
“We play a brave brand of football – entertaining, bringing the club together, with fan engagement high – and that’s the positive.”
