The League Two promotion race was a distinctly South West affair last season with all three sides gaining an automatic pathway into the third tier being from the region: Bristol Rovers, Exeter City and league champions Forest Green Rovers.
There was, as a result, an interesting rivalry between long-standing neighbours but never true adversaries. Granted, we’re not exactly talking a vociferous derby-like atmosphere, but there was something extra to games between the teams.
That is likely to continue and be further enhanced over the next nine months given their position now in League One and the fact that a familiar fixture from last term greets Rovers on July 30 for the first game of the new campaign.
However, while lots at the Gas has remained the same - Joey Barton, his staff and the bulk of the playing squad - Forest Green are a different (plant-based) animal altogether, with a new head coach and a set of new players but with the same mindset and methodology as before.
To guide us through what the Gas should expect from their opponents on Saturday, we spoke to Laurie Martin, former Gloucestershire Live Forest Green reporter and now of the Press Association.
It's been an eventful summer for Forest Green. Can you sum up the key events at The New Lawn since the end of last season?
Where to start? After the high of winning the League Two title in dramatic fashion on May 7, the next few weeks proved to be eventful. Director of football Rich Hughes, the mastermind behind Forest Green’s success in recent years, was heavily linked with Portsmouth on May 9. After a conversation with Dale Vince, Hughes chose to stay at Forest Green despite interest from Pompey.
A day later, reports started emerging that Watford were in advanced talks with head coach Rob Edwards. Things moved very quickly and Edwards was announced as their new boss. Vince wasn’t happy with the manner of Edwards’ exit, with negotiations with Watford taking place behind Forest Green’s back.
Edwards’ spell in Gloucestershire was unbelievably successful, but shorter than anyone anticipated, and he took his assistant Richie Kyle with him to Hertfordshire.
Key players also left New Lawn over the summer. League Two’s player of the season Kane Wilson had plenty of Championship interest, and chose Bristol City, while energetic midfielder Ebou Adams moved to Cardiff. Left wing-back Nicky Cadden has also moved on to join Michael Duff’s Barnsley.
It’s not been dull, put it that way.
What impression has Ian Burchnall made since taking over?
He appears to be a good fit for Forest Green. The appointment is a bit of a continuation from what Edwards offered in a way. Burchnall is young, possession-based, has a history of working with - and developing - young players, and he’s sticking with a similar shape to what Edwards set Rovers up in last season.
He was the club’s first choice and seems to fit their progressive nature. He developed his reputation as a promising coach at Notts County, and while some fans may question why he didn’t win promotion from the National League with the Magpies, it’s a very difficult league to get out of with lots of clubs boasting big budgets.
Results will dictate, but the early signs are promising with Burchnall – and leading Rovers in their first ever season in League One is a wonderful opportunity.
What is your view on recruitment this summer?
The recruitment has been good. Those at the club were well aware that the likes of Wilson, Cadden and Adams were going to leave, which allowed them to look at replacements well in advance. Corey O’Keeffe has come in to replace Wilson, and while he may not reach the same heights, he was one of the leading wing-backs in League Two in a poor Rochdale side last season. Harry Boyes comes in on loan from Sheffield United on the other side having helped Solihull Moors to the National League promotion final last season.
David Davis is a solid addition, with plenty of experience under his belt from spells at Wolves, Birmingham and Shrewsbury. His experience in a youthful side will be vital. Reece Brown and Armani Little are two of the more exciting additions.
Brown returning to Forest Green represents a real coup for the club. Many expected him to go to a League One club with immediate promotion aspirations given his recent loan spells at Peterborough, but he is back at Rovers, where he spearheaded the club to the play-offs in the 2018/19 season. Little, having scored 15 goals and claiming 10 assists for Torquay last season, looks a really smart pick up.
With Matty Stevens expected to be out until New Year with an ACL injury, Forest Green need a striker. Patience is the key, as almost every League One and Two club is in the market for one.
What are the expectations at Forest Green this season?
Given the disruption over the off-season with Edwards leaving the club, I think most Rovers fans would take 20th. Forest Green are an ambitious club, but this will be a very tough season having lost their head coach and arguably their three best players over the summer. Survival is the goal, any more is a bonus.
Are there any players ruled out on Saturday through injury or suspension?
Harry Boyes is set to miss the game with a foot injury.
Who will be the key player the Gas must be mindful of?
Armani Little. I think much of Rovers’ success this season could depend on the performances of Little and Brown. They have technical quality which could prove to be above the level – and they’ll provide Rovers with moments of magic. Little is the man to watch. He’s impressed during pre-season and looks set for a starting berth. He’s a positive, confident, attacking midfielder with an eye for goal and great ability from dead ball situations.
How do you expect FGR to line up and what will be their style of play?
Burchnall will start off the season with three-at-the-back. His side will take risks from the back and will look to play through the thirds – Burchnall’s Notts County side made comfortably the most passes in the National League last season.
The goalkeeper will be Luke McGee, with the back three likely to be Udoka Godwin-Malife, Jordan Moore-Taylor and one of Baily Cargill or Dom Bernard. O’Keeffe will play on the right, with Kyle McAllister probably operating on the other side in the absence of Boyes. Ben Stevenson, Regan Hendry and David Davis will go for the two central midfield spots, with three of Little, Brown, Josh March and Jamille Matt at the top end of the pitch.
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