FA Cup First Round preview: Robbie Savage unafraid ahead of trip to Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town

By Matthew Nash

Robbie Savage jokes that Jack Wilshere will be too busy trying to get Luton Town up the League One table to give him much thought ahead of Forest Green’s crunch FA Cup first-round trip to Kenilworth Road.

Rovers were pitted against the Hatters, playing in the Premier League just 18 months ago, in Monday’s draw before sealing a comprehensive 4-1 win at National League South Worthing.

Savage – more used to working on TNT Sports’ coverage than having his team play on their channels – has had new Luton boss Wilshere as a guest on his podcast, but says he is not expecting to hear from the former Arsenal midfielder ahead of the tie in two weeks’ time.

Asked if he would contact the former England international, Rovers boss Savage, inset, told The NLP: “I think he’ll have more worry about in the league, first and foremost!

Asked if he would contact the former England international, Rovers boss Savage, inset, told The NLP: “I think he’ll have more worry about in the league, first and foremost!

“Jack probably beat me most times he played against me and is going up against my team who have a relentless nature.

“It’ll be great to see Jack, who had an unbelievable career as a player, good kid, was on my podcast during Covid.

“I have a great relationship with him and I’m delighted he’s got a chance but we will be going there with nothing to lose.

Everybody will expect us to get beat. It’s a great distraction.”

STRIKE: Forest Green’s Jayden Clarke fires a shot against Worthing

Dreams

Savage was pleased to return to winning ways following his first defeat as manager of the National League side in the side’s last outing, a 1-0 home defeat by high-flying Rochdale, a result he blamed himself for.

He explained going away to play a League One outfit managed by a star name is a long way from where a trio of players he signed from old club Macclesfield were not so far back.

“Luton won’t fancy playing us,” said Savage, who came up against another old adversary in Carlisle boss Mark Hughes yesterday.

“We’ve taken the competition seriously. I’ve never lost two games in a row as a manager. Every time my players pull a Forest Green shirt on, we want to win.

“Laurent Mendy was working in a kitchen a year ago, Neil Kengni was a plumber, Tre Pemberton gave his job up when I signed him – they’re now playing against a team who was in the Premier League a couple of seasons ago.

It’s what dreams are made of, the FA Cup. Luton will be favourites but we will play our way and have a go.”

Taunts

The match in West Sussex was notable for songs from sections of the home side’s support – which Rebels owner George Dowell later criticised on social media.

Savage did not escape some taunts and, as a high-profile former Premier League player who has made his name as a pundit, he admitted he sometimes finds it hard being a target for fans while on the touchline.

He added; “It’s a tough place being a manager. I got a bit of stick but it’s nice to turn around and you’ve won 4-1.

You can get criticised and hammered and songs sung about you that aren’t nice but if you do a fist-pump because your team’s scored, you’re the bad guy.”