It’s back-to-back home games for Yeovil Town as they welcome Forest Green Rovers to Huish Park on Saturday afternoon.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
The Glovers made it three from three under new manager Billy Rowley last time out after they beat Maidstone United in the FA Trophy. The game was a hard fought battle, with the first goal not being scored until the last minute when Josh Tobin converted a James Daly cross. Then in stoppage time the Stones equalised. However, the Glovers came through on penalties thanks to two saves from Jed Ward.
It’s been a bit of a revival under Rowley, who still has perfect record since coming in as manager. Not only has the young gaffer got his team playing attractive football, they have also started to find the back of the net more regularly. Four wins from four will be the target for his side when they face a strong Forest Green Rovers side.
FOREST GREEN ROVERS
The Gloucestershire team have been in brilliant form under Robbie Savage and currently find themselves second in the league. They are unbeaten over their last five games with three wins and two draws. Rovers have scored 11 goals in that period, keeping up their good scoring form. However, they do concede goals as well, with no clean sheet in the league since the 1st October.
Last time out, Rovers saw off Weston-Super-Mare in the FA Trophy, with a convincing 4-0 win. Doubles from Kyle McAllister and Jayden Clarke in the second half helped put to bed a defiant Seagulls side.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – JAMES DALY
Daly probably doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves. Throughout this season he has been one of the Glovers more consistent forwards. Although he may not score many goals he does provide a threat on the left wing, being more of a provider. That quality was on show last time out when he set up debutant Josh Tobin.
Under the previous manager and interim manager, it felt that Daly’s game didn’t suit the way they liked to set up. However, under new manager Billy Rowley, the winger has sprung into life like many of his counterparts. The 25-year-old will also need to start providing more with his position back under threat with fellow wingers James Plant and Josh Sims making their way back from injury.
FOREST GREEN ROVERS – KYLE McALLISTER
It’s Christmas, so I had to pick a McAllister (hopefully he will also be left at home alone). This McAllister however has been Rovers best player this season whether it’s when talking about goals or assists.
Primarily used on the right side of a front three, the Scotsman has been in scintillating form under Robbie Savage. In fact the 26-year-old is his sides top scorer with seven goals, he also leads the assists chart in Gloucester with four to his name. And if your like your match ratings, SofaScore has not given McAllister a rating below 7.0 since the FA Cup loss to Luton.
In what looks set to be a battle of the wingers, who will come out on top?
THE GAFFER…
The blonde locks (now verging on grey) of Robbie Savage will be gracing the Huish Park away dugout this weekend as he brings his side to Somerset. A face that will be recognisable to most in English football, Savage has took like a duck to water in management. In his first season at The New Lawn, the former Welsh international has guided his team to second in the table.
The Rovers job is his first leading a professional side, after he spent a year leading Macclesfield Town. As a player the 51-year-old played over 340 games in the Premier League, most notably for Leicester, Blackburn and Birmingham.
Savage has managed one game against Yeovil Town to date which was a 2-0 win back in August.
LAST TIME WE MET…
As mentioned the Glovers last played Forest Green Rovers in August, which they lost 2-0. That day goals from Jili Buyabu and Kairo Mitchell secured the Gloucestershire side all three points.
When Rovers last came to Huish Park in March this year Yeovil looked like they secured a win after a 24th minute goal from Sonny Blu Lo Everton. Unfortunately for the Glovers that day former player Ryan Iniss came back to haunt them getting an equaliser in 90+1st minute.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
There are a couple of familiar faces who are likely to feature for Forest Green. Ryan Inniss played for Yeovil six times on loan from Crystal Palace in the 2014/15 season. Tom Knowles is the other name that Glovers faithful will know, after playing 78 games for Yeovil between 2020 and 2022.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Alan Dale takes charge of the fixture, and as usual read Ben’s full article here.