Forest Green are lacking experience, admits boss
FOREST Green Rovers fell to the bottom of the table on Saturday for the first time this season after a 2-0 defeat at home to Wycombe Wanderers.
Head coach Ian Burchnall and his team left the field at half-time to a chorus of boos from the home faithful with a certain section of the fanbase calling for a change.
“We need to recover players, it’s no secret. I say it every week, there are eight or nine players with experience that would benefit us enormously if they were fit. We look like a young, naive team in moments, but that is what we are,” said Burchnall.
It was always going to be a tough season, and the injury pile-up has done nothing to ease the pressure on underfire boss Burchnall, pictured inset.
Rovers’ bench also hinted at a distinct lack of strength in depth. Only six substitutes were named against Wycombe due to the U18s FA Youth Cup run that saw them play Exeter City Under-18s at the Bolt New Lawn on Tuesday evening - which the Nailsworth side lost 3-0.
Nine injured first-team players took their place in the stands to watch Saturday’s dismal first-half performance, with Burchnall seething at a performance lacking any character or selfbelief.
The second half was a notable improvement, but the damage was done early on. Another defeat, coupled with Burton’s home draw with Charlton Athletic saw Rovers drop to the foot of the League One table 18 games in.
Rob Edwards’ title-winning side has seen a large number of injuries even with players who have left the club, so the question of burnout surrounds last season’s playing squad.
Eleven players played more than 40 matches last campaign, and the unwavering support of the players who played week in, and week out enabled the success that they achieved.
Many of the players have been struggling with injury concerns this campaign which may have a direct correlation with the number of games played last year.
A crucial period is on the horizon for Forest Green, with only one win in their past 11 league games, fortunes need to change if they’re to avoid being cut adrift.
Burchnall continued: “We just need to be in close proximity to the teams above us when we get those eight, nine players back, and maybe add some more in January. Then I feel like I would like to be judged through that moment.”
Forest Green: Thomas, Bernard, Casey, Marques (Fiabema 80), O’Keeffe, Bunker (Little 88), Hendry, Boyes (March 45), McAllister, Wickham, Matt. Subs not used: McGee, Robertson, Peart-Harris.
Wycombe: Stryjek, Grimmer, Mawson, Tafazolli, Jacobson, Scowen, Freeman, McCleary (McCarthy 89), Wheeler, Mehmeti (Kaikai 71), Vokes. Subs not used: Wing, Dickinson, Horgan, Hanley, Obita.
Referee: Sam Purkiss.
Attendance: 2,468 (571 away).