‘We will give it everything in title battle’

FOREST Green Rovers head coach Rob Edwards insists that there are all sorts of motivating factors for himself and his players with the Sky Bet League Two title at stake on the final day of the campaign, writes Laurie Martin.

The Green Devils have led the way for most of the season in the fourth tier, but just one point from their last three matches – albeit the draw at Bristol Rovers which secured promotion – has allowed Exeter City to overhaul them and head into the 46th and last round of fixtures with a one-point lead.

Forest Green can still claim top spot if they pick up more points than the Grecians today, and that is very possible given the fixtures.

Both sides host teams who can still go up automatically, and who need to win to be sure of a place in the play-offs at least. Exeter host Port Vale, while Forest Green go away to Mansfield.

Edwards told his pre-match media conference: “We have to get back on the bike and go again. It’s a really big game against a big club who need to win. That’s exciting for us.

“We want to take momentum into next season. It’s the 46th game and we don’t want to go out on a damp squib. We can’t dwell on last week (3-1 home defeat to Harrogate). We have to learn from it and be better.

“We know there is still the potential of winning a League title and that’s a big motivation.

“Exeter are in pole position and Mansfield need to win our game. We’ll work hard and give it absolutely everything.”

Asked if he thought Mansfield could be the more nervous side today given Forest Green had already achieved their primary objective of promotion, Edwards added: “They could be. I don’t know. It’s difficult to get over the line, we’ve seen that ourselves, and we saw on Monday that Mansfield and Port Vale failed to take advantage of their games.

“The pressure will be on them, no doubt about it. It’d be great to take advantage of that, but we need to focus on ourselves – and that’s my main concern.”

Edwards’ success with Forest Green this season has seen him linked with jobs higher up the football pyramid, but the head coach expects to remain at the New Lawn.

He continued: “This club has given me a platform and a first opportunity. I know it’s gone well, but it’s gone well because there are good people here. There’s a plan and there are good players who have got us promoted.”