“That could be one of our best results of the season” – Forest Green Rovers boss Steve Cotterill after win over Rochdale
Forest Green Rovers boss Steve Cotterill believes that Saturday's 1-0 home win over Rochdale could be a very important result come the end of the season.
A solitary goal from Liam Sercombe gave Rovers yet another three points at they increased their points tally to 54 and their league unbeaten run to 16.
“The lads have been unbelievable because of where they all are, that could probably be one of our best results of the season when you look at the whole circumstances of everything," Cotterill said.
Rochdale had an early chance after a great flick from Devante Rodney over Ben Tozer in the 26th minute eventually saw a chance from Kairo Mitchell which was put wide of Jed Ward’s post.
Sercombe forced the first chance of the second-half when his effort from well outside of the box was sent over the crossbar.
Ryan Inniss had a headed effort saved on 65 minutes which was caught well under no pressure by Sam Waller in the Rochdale goal.
Rovers opened the scoring with 20 minutes to go when Tozer launched a long throw into the box which was flicked on by Inniss to find Sercombe for a well-headed effort past Waller.
On the win and particularly the nature of the three points that was picked up, Cotterill said: “It was really hard-fought, they are a good team.
"I think we have probably looked tired for two or three games now. We have had a load of games and it is just hard work, isn’t it? Rochdale have had a lovely break so when you come back to having a game of football again, you are all nice and fresh. They have got some good players and I thought they played very well, but there are many ways to try and win a football match.”
Rochdale had a strong shout for a penalty late on in the game that was turned down by James Durkin. On that decision, Cotterill said: “It was quite quick, I haven’t looked at the incident, but that probably equals up us not getting one on Joe Quigley against Barnet.
"It just goes to show that sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it goes against you. From my view, I wouldn’t be able to see it clearly enough to answer to you about whether it was a penalty or not.
“I think we are well in credit on having any luck. I thought our luck today was born out of our guts, honesty and endeavour with a group that have been a bit tired.”
Rovers were strong defensively once again throughout, after getting ahead in the game and seeing out that win, Cotterill said: “We changed our formation and brought on some fresh legs, I think it is always difficult when you are bringing someone on that won’t necessarily know the roles.
"I thought that was a little bit difficult for Luke (McCormick) certainly in the early part of it, but he stuck in it and he is a strong boy. That change enabled us to get his fresh legs on, some fresh legs with Manny (Osadebe) and some fresh legs with Joe Quigley.”
Jordon Garrick got his first start since he rejoined the club, his last start for the club was against Notts County at the tail end of last season.
“It is always a tricky one, when is he ever going to be ready? By the time we play another six games, that will be like Jordon having a pre-season, but another six games, we have probably got that in seven days with our schedule. There is just a hint of sarcasm there, by the way.
"He did well to get through it. I was thinking about whether I should have taken him off at half-time, not because of his performance, he put in an unbelievable shift, but it is difficult for him to get back to where he was at the back end of last season after he had been fit for a while. I thought his efforts today were immense, like the rest of the team.
"He will certainly benefit from that, but we have just got to make sure that we are careful with him and let's see where that takes us.”
Rovers are next in action on Tuesday night when they play in their final National League Cup game against Blackburn Rovers Under-21s.
Forest Green stay top-of-the-league with the win, one point ahead of Barnet in second and four points clear of York in third.
Forest Green Rovers: Ward; Long, Bunker, Inniss, Tozer, Robson; Sercombe, May; McAllister (Osadebe 79), Doidge (Quigley 79), Garrick (McCormick 55). Subs not used: Searle, Lavinier, Knowles, Cardwell.
Rochdale: Waller; Gordon, Hogan, Beckwith; Okeke, East, Gilmour (Ayinde 86), Buyabu (Allarakhia 78); Barlow (McBridge 79), Mitchell, Rodney. Subs not used: Ferguson, Burger, Dennis, Henderson.
Referee: James Durkin.
Attendance: 1,771 (269 away).
