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Slimbridge AFC v Forest Green Rovers - Pre-Season FriendlyGetty Images Sport
Gill Clark

Robbie Savage makes four substitutions in FIRST MINUTE of Forest Green Rovers game as ex-Premier League star exploits obscure loophole

R. Savage
Forest Green Rovers
Match
Premier League

Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage has made waves after making a quadruple substitution in the first minute of his team's match against Wolverhampton Wanderers' Under-21s on Tuesday in the National League Cup. The ex-Premier League star took advantage of an obscure loophole to make wholesale changes to his team straight after kick-off and saw Forest Green go on to win 3-2 at the New Lawn stadium.

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  • Savage exploits rules with instant changes

    Savage, who enjoyed spells in the Premier League as a player with clubs like Blackburn and Derby, lined up his Forest Green side against Wolves' academy team and left fans scratching their heads as he immediately replaced Tom Knowles, Kyle McAllister, Neil Kengni and Abraham Kanu with Akai Bonnick, Will Merrett, Yahya Bamba and James Balagizi.

  • Slimbridge AFC v Forest Green Rovers - Pre-Season FriendlyGetty Images Sport

    Why Savage made four changes in the first minute

    National League Cup rules state that clubs must name at least four players who started the previous league game in their line-up. The rule has been designed to try and protect the integrity of the competition and prevent teams from making wholesale changes between league and cup games. Savage took advantage by making seven changes to the XI that drew with Scunthorpe last time out and then replaced another four players straight after kick-off, effectively changing his entire team for the fixture.

  • Savage hails 'learning experience' for youngsters

    Savage was a happy man after the game and says the fixture is a great learning experience for his team's young players. He told the club's media after the game: "What a night for the youngsters again. Six points in the competition, learning experience for them. What a learning experience for them to be in the first-team dressing room, seeing how first-team players conduct themselves. It was a very good night and a good performance all around."

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  • Macclesfield v Blackburn Rovers XI - Pre-Season FriendlyGetty Images Sport

    Savage to repeat trick with Forest Green Rovers?

    Savage has used a similar tactic before, making two changes in the opening minutes against West Brom's Under-21s in August, and may do so again. Forest Green Rovers will play their next National League Cup fixture in October against Leicester City's Under-21s.

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FOG

National League

31 Oct 2026

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