Western Daily Press (Saturday)
We’re going there to win the match – boss Garner
BEN Garner will set up Swindon Town to win a second local derby in two games when his side face League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers this lunchtime.
Former Bristol Rovers boss Garner enjoyed a 3-1 victory at his old side last weekend, and the fifth-placed Robins now take on Rob Edwards’ Green Devils, who currently lead the fourth tier by four points – and fully seven clear Swindon.
Garner is without several players on international duty, including first-choice goalkeeper and former Forest Green loanee Joe Wollacott, but is sure his players have what it takes to overcome their hosts.
“They’ve had a really good start,” Garner said of Forest Green at his pre-match press conference.
“They’ve been a good template for a League Two team with the way they’ve gone about their business in the last three or four seasons.
“They had a really strong squad from last season, they’ve added to that, particularly in the midfield area, and they are a strong team.
“They are very fit, very organised, they get good quality into their front players and they get lots of crosses into the box. They’ve had a really good start and we know we are going to have to go there and play very well, which we’re looking to do.
“(Forest Green striker) Jamille Matt is an excellent player in this league, he scores goals, he’s a handful and they get good quality into him.
“We know what to expect, we know their strengths, we’ve worked hard on it this week, but we’re going there to win the game.
“As always, we’ll be looking to impose our way of playing and try to achieve the three points.”
Garner stressed their will be no changes to his philosophy just because the Sky Sports cameras will be present.
He added: “Just perform and play the way that we can. The group has trained really, really well this week, and the simple message will be to take that into the game.
“We’ve got an identity as a group now, there are players who have got the opportunity to come into the team and play – rightly so because of how they’ve trained and how they’ve prepared. It will just be a case of focussing on the process, we’ll have a game plan, we’ll stick to that, be confident and go and perform.”
Forest Green boss Edwards is also wary of the talent on the opposing side. He said: “It’s an exciting game for us. Swindon are a very good team. They’re full of good players, well-coached and they’ll be looking forward to it. They’re in good form having come off the back of a very good result (at Bristol Rovers).
“We’re really looking forward to it. It’s got the makings of a very good game. It’s down to us to get the crowd going and make sure that they’re bouncing off us.”