Forest Green Rovers interim manager Yan Klukowski believes the club can win plenty of matches if the team carries its recent performances into the National League campaign.
Rovers have a break from competitive action before returning to league duty away at Yeovil Town on Saturday, November 21, with kick-off scheduled for 5.30pm. Southend United then visit the New Lawn on Tuesday, November 24, for a 7.45pm start.
Klukowski is working alongside Josh Bowen and Jonathan Gould. He has been encouraged by a 2-2 draw against high-flying Harrogate Town and by Rovers’ display against League One side Luton Town in the FA Cup last weekend.
Forest Green were beaten 2-0 by Luton and exited the competition, but Klukowski said the performance showed his players could compete with opponents from a higher division. He was particularly pleased with the quality of Rovers’ football in possession.
Klukowski praises Forest Green’s performance
“If we take that form, that level of play into the league campaign, we’re going to win a lot of football matches,” Klukowski said. “With the quality we have, I expect us to win a lot of football matches moving forward.”
The interim manager singled out Jayden Clarke, who was described as one of the standout performers against Luton. Klukowski praised the midfielder’s intelligence, movement into space and ability to break through defensive lines.
“Jayden Clarke in particular, I thought was absolutely sensational. A man-of-the-match performance in my eyes,” he said.
Klukowski said Clarke understood which pockets of space to occupy and could carry the ball forward. He also praised the player’s range of passing and suggested he had significant potential to progress.
“He’s a highly intelligent footballer. Understands the pockets to pick up, space to pick up the football,” Klukowski said. “He can carry the ball as well, so he can break lines with his running power. He’s got all the passes in the book, so the world’s his oyster in terms of where he can go in the game.”
Rovers told to be more ruthless
Although he was pleased with the overall performance, Klukowski identified decision-making in the final third as an area Forest Green need to improve. He said the team must be more ruthless, select shots more effectively and hit the target more often.
“My only criticism of the group would probably be that ruthlessness in the final third. Probably shot selection or certainly hitting the target a bit more,” he said.
He also believed Rovers could have made better choices around the penalty area, particularly when attempting to turn possession and pressure into clearer opportunities. Klukowski said the team sometimes needed to make an additional pass, switch play and isolate a one-on-one situation before delivering a higher-quality cross.
Confidence ahead of Yeovil trip
Despite the FA Cup defeat, Klukowski said Forest Green had been outstanding in possession against League One opposition and looked in control for long periods.
“Some of our football was absolutely brilliant. It was lovely to watch,” he said. “You stand there with pride on the touchline when your team produces football like that.”
He added that the players had stood up to the challenge and produced football that made them look like Football League players.
Rovers will now aim to take that confidence into the two upcoming National League fixtures, beginning with the evening trip to Yeovil Town before Southend’s visit to the New Lawn.
