Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage has heaped praise on Iron manager Andy Butler, hailing the “incredible” job he is doing ahead of Saturday’s crucial promotion clash.
With the Iron in formidable form, winning five of their last six league matches, Savage admits Rovers face a “very, very difficult game” against a Scunthorpe side he believes is firmly in the title conversation.
Scunthorpe currently sit just two points behind Forest Green in the play-off places but, crucially, hold two games in hand. Victory on Saturday would see the Iron leapfrog their promotion rivals – a scenario not lost on Savage..
“We know it is going to be tough. If they win, they go ahead of us in the table and they have got the games in hand,” Savage told the press ahead of the trip north.
“Andy [Butler], his staff and his players are doing an incredible job. I can’t speak highly enough of the job he’s done. To get a promoted side challenging for the title – and let’s be fair, they aren’t far away from the leaders – is a massive credit to him.”
Savage reserved particular praise for Scunthorpe’s midweek response to late disappointment at Morecambe, as Butler’s side bounced back with an emphatic 3–1 victory over fellow high-flyers Boreham Wood.
“To go to Boreham Wood and play the way they did, and to fully deserve the win, was incredible.”
While Scunthorpe have been flying, Forest Green arrive in North Lincolnshire looking to arrest what Savage described as a “sticky” spell of form.
Rovers have won just once in their last six outings, drawing several matches they felt they should have put to bed.
“It’s sticky, but in a positive way,” Savage insisted, pointing out that his side have still suffered just one defeat in their last 14 games.
“The only reason we’re not top of the league is because we’re not sticking easy chances in the back of the net. If we’d taken one of those chances against Sutton or Braintree, we’d be top – but we’re not.
“Draws feel like losses when you’re creating as many chances as we are, from open play and set-pieces.”
Scunthorpe’s defence will have to contend with the return of Forest Green forward Ricardo Rees, who is set to start after serving a suspension during Rovers’ midweek draw with Altrincham.
“When your best players become available, you breathe a sigh of relief,” Savage said. “He’s been magnificent and I’m delighted he’s back.”
“We’ll have to defend well, the goalkeeper will have to have a good game, and we’ll have to take our big moments if we’re going to have any chance of winning.”
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