Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage has urged supporters to focus on football when his side return to Carlisle, after he was subjected to abuse during last October’s meeting between the clubs.
Savage described the abuse from a section of Carlisle fans as having crossed the line. The incident led to a Football Association investigation and a subsequent reminder from Carlisle about fan behaviour.
The Forest Green boss is due back at Carlisle on September 15, 2026, with Rovers arriving after a 4-0 win over Gateshead. He said he wanted the contest to be defined by the quality of both teams rather than events in the stands.
“It will be a great atmosphere. I got a bit of stick there last year which crossed the line,”
Savage said he expected Carlisle and Forest Green to offer an attacking match, pointing to data that he believes shows the two clubs share similar footballing principles.
Savage defends Carlisle boss Rob Elliot
The Rovers manager also backed Carlisle head coach Rob Elliot after he received personal abuse from a section of supporters during Carlisle’s 2-2 draw with Southend United.
“I’ve seen Rob’s interview at the weekend. It was a minority and it will be a minority having a go, like a minority of our fans were having a go at me. It’s football, but again, it’s so short-term.”
Savage said Carlisle had recruited well and that Elliot was still working to establish his approach after rebuilding the team. He argued that the club’s performance data suggested the side could improve as the season continued.
According to Savage, Carlisle had recorded the most shots in the league and the most crosses, while sitting second for touches in the opposition box. Forest Green were third for touches in the opposition area.
“So Rob (Elliot) will be seeing the same data as us. And that’s why, as a manager, when you see the work on the training ground, when you see the performance on a weekend, even if you’re not getting the right result, I’m sure that Rob will stick to all his principles because everything suggests that they will be up there come the end of the season because they can’t keep having this many shots, this many opportunities, this many final-third entries and it then not click.”
Injury concern and West Ham loan signing
Forest Green will be without Kyle Ajayi for the Carlisle match after he limped off during the first half of the victory over Gateshead. Savage said Ajayi was due to have a scan on Monday and that the injury was believed to involve his hamstring.
Gabe Kircough replaced Ajayi and impressed, earning praise from Savage for the way he responded to the opportunity.
Rovers are also expected to include England Under-20 midfielder Preston Fearon, who has joined the club from West Ham on a one-month loan. Savage described the move as an opportunity for Fearon to experience regular senior football and said it could support his development.
“This is a great acquisition for us again. We’re excited about him as are West Ham and it’s just maybe his first regular taste of senior football, so he’s got to get up to the speed of it.”
Savage said his experience as the father of Reading midfielder Charlie Savage had helped him understand the pressures facing young players who leave their parent clubs for the first time. He said players could feel lonely or frustrated and might need additional support as they adapted.
He added that the progress of former Forest Green loanees Harry Whitwell and Chibby Nwoko had helped strengthen the club’s reputation as a destination for young players. Whitwell has continued at West Brom, while Nwoko has progressed at Fulham, according to Savage.
Kircough praised after Gateshead win
Savage said Kircough had worked hard to adapt to full-time football, including through an individual learning programme using match clips. The youngster had previously been introduced in difficult away matches at York and Rochdale, but Savage believes he is now better prepared to take his next opportunity.
“He’s worked really hard. He’s one of the first in, one of the last to leave. You know, he’s learning.”
The manager said Forest Green’s 4-0 win over Gateshead reflected the attacking style the club are trying to build. He highlighted the first goal, created on the break, and the second, which followed patient possession, one-touch passing and forward runs.
Savage said the team had been working on how to create chances after regaining possession and that the squad’s data had indicated a performance like the Gateshead victory was possible. He also stressed that the group was new and would need time to develop.
“But we know this team and this squad is new. We know we’ve got to be patient. And we know though that this team could achieve so much together because they’re a very, very good side.”