“The gaffer’s always said that if every one of us is at it, we’ll beat most teams on our day,” said Tom Knowles, ahead of Forest Green Rovers’ trip to Worthing in the FA Cup.
Rovers suffered their first defeat under Savage on Saturday, losing to league leaders Rochdale, but Knowles believes the different competition is; “a nice little distraction.”
“We’ve been lucky enough that our game’s been on a Monday so it gives us a full week to look forward to the game and get them extra couple of days of recovery in.
“That’s going to be a tough test but one we’re looking forward to.”
Since Savage’s appointment the small village club has seen enourmous increases in social coverage and media attention.
This includes TNT’s decision to move Rovers game to a Monday night for tv coverage.
TNT Sports will show Worthing v Forest Green Rovers fourth round Emirates FA Cup qualifying clash and first round draw 🏆
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 2, 2025
Read more ⬇️
“With it being on TV, some lads might not have played on TV before, so that’s an extra little boost and encouragement for them to go and show what they’re about,” he continued.
However, the increased eyes on activities at the New Lawn hasn’t effected the squad, with Knowles confirming he isn’t scared of the pressure: “It’s a privilege to be able to play under pressure.
“Having people pay their money to come and watch you, we’re in a very lucky position that a lot of lads dream of when they grow up.
“We just enjoy every day and every match.”
Worthing will be wanting to capitalise on the occasion, having re-appointed their most successful manager, Adam Hinshelwood, who re-joins after York sacked the 40-year-old in August, despite not losing a game.
Day one. ✅ pic.twitter.com/jcrTk6iryy
— Worthing FC (@WorthingFC) October 10, 2025
“Worthing will be wanting to cause an upset so we’ve got to be ready and prepared for that to make sure that that doesn’t happen,” Knowles said.
“When you go to teams in competitions, you’ve got to make sure your attitude is right before anything.”
A new manager isn’t the only challenge Rovers will face on the south coast, with Worthing playing on an AstroTurf.
“We can’t use that as an excuse whatsoever.”
“Our pitches here are so flat and run true, so we’ll be ready for it, we can’t make any excuses, it’s on us,” he added.
The winger has enjoyed his start to life under Savage, winning the club’s September Player of the Month award to go alongside his four goals and two assists.
Despite playing out of postion at times, moving from the wing into full-back, Knowles has embraced the challenge: “Ever since the gaffers come in his emphasis is on getting forward, creating chances.
“As an attacker myself, you want to be a part of that, and even if I’ve played at full back, you know, he wants them to play nice and high. It suits me.”
He continued; “It’s one of them where it’s a relentless style. The lads at the back have done really well keeping so many clean sheets.”
Rovers boast the second best defensive record in the National League, although have only kept one clean sheet since losing Abraham Kanu through a broken jaw in mid September.
Goals haven’t been hard to come by, with 27 in their opening 16 games, but Knowles want’s to be more ruthless; “We’ve created plenty of chances and once we start finishing a few more I think we’ll be in a really good place.”
