UPDATE: Forest Green Rovers are gearing up for a crucial clash against Southend United on Saturday, with manager Robbie Savage stressing the need for victory against top-seven rivals. The match kicks off at 3:00 PM at their home ground, and Savage is determined to see his team improve their record against strong competition.
Savage noted, “We’ve played five of the other six teams in the top seven, and we’ve only got five points.” The Rovers are currently sitting fourth in the National League table but are coming off a disappointing draw against Wealdstone last weekend. With Southend United in seventh place, Savage highlighted the importance of securing points against fellow contenders.
“We need to be better against those sides, and we will be,” Savage declared. He pointed out that Southend is a formidable opponent, having narrowly lost to Carlisle in their last outing. “They’ll be coming here knowing they can beat us,” he added, acknowledging the psychological edge Southend may carry after last season’s play-off semi-final, where Rovers lost on penalties.
Savage is confident that his team has transformed since last year’s defeat. “It’ll be a completely different Forest Green Rovers side this year to the one they beat last year,” he said. The manager has worked hard to instill a new style of play, and he believes the home advantage will be crucial in this upcoming match.
Earlier this week, the Rovers faced a setback, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest Under-21s in the National League Cup. Savage expressed disappointment over the team’s performance, stating they recorded the third lowest number of sprints this season. “We were miles off it, and the stats prove it,” he remarked.
In preparation for Saturday’s match, Savage has emphasized the need for his players to be more aggressive in front of goal. “This week we’ve worked on crossing, finishing, and shooting,” he explained. He believes these adjustments will help the team become stronger and more dynamic.
As the match approaches, fans are eager to see if the Rovers can rebound and deliver a standout performance against Southend. The stakes are high, and both teams are aiming for valuable points in the tight race for promotion.
With tensions rising and expectations mounting, all eyes will be on Forest Green Rovers as they strive to assert their dominance at home. Will they rise to the occasion? Tune in on Saturday to find out!
