Jack Wilshere says Luton Town will show full respect to Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers as the Hatters aim to avoid a potential FA Cup upset at Kenilworth Road this weekend.
The Luton boss warned his players not to underestimate their non-league opponents, with the match selected for live television coverage largely due to the high-profile nature of both managers, having both played in the Premier League.
Wilshere, who has enjoyed two consecutive victories in League One and the Vertu Trophy, admitted he has admiration for Savage’s willingness to step into management at such a challenging level.
“I’ve got massive respect for Robbie,” said Wilshere. “I think when you step into management, you understand how difficult it is, especially at that level where you’re juggling a lot of things that maybe people don’t see. He’s got that enthusiasm, he’s got that energy — and he’s been brave to take that job on.
“You can see what he’s trying to do with his team. They want to play, they want to build, they’ve got some good young players, and they’ve got some really good experience around them as well. It’ll be a tough game for us, there’s no getting away from that.”
Wilshere revealed the pair have spoken on several occasions and said he has long admired Savage’s passion for the game.
“I’ve spoken to Robbie a few times over the years. We were on a couple of shows together when I was still playing, and I always liked how passionate he was about football. He cares about the game, and he cares about developing players.
“I think when you’ve played at the level he has, and then you go into the environment he’s in now, you have to love it to do it — because it’s not easy. He’s trying to build something at Forest Green, and that’s not going to happen overnight. So yeah, I’ve got a lot of respect for him for taking it on.”
The former Arsenal and England midfielder, who twice won the the FA Cup as a player, made it clear that the competition can humble any side that approaches it complacently.
“I’ve told the lads this week, don’t fall into the trap of thinking this is going to be easy because they’re non-league. We’ve all seen what the FA Cup can do — you can be the higher team and still get punished if you’re not right.
“Robbie will have them fired up, no doubt. He’ll use that, and he’ll use this game as a chance to test themselves against a League One team, on TV, big occasion. For us, we have to match that energy, that desire, because if we don’t, we’ll be in trouble.”
He added: “I’ve got nothing but respect for Robbie I think he’s a top person. I think he’s a top personality. He brings something different to the game and I always think as well, he’s someone who obviously winds people up and likes to give it out a bit, but what I like about him, he can take it as well.”
For Wilshere, the romance of the competition remains intact, even from the dugout.
“The FA Cup is special for those reasons,” he added. “It’s about moments, about smaller clubs having that chance to show what they can do. I’ve been on the other side of it as a player — I know what that feels like.
“So yeah, we’ll respect Forest Green massively, we’ll prepare properly, and we’ll treat it like any other big game. Because for them, it is a big game, and we can’t underestimate that.”
Podcast preview
Our writer James was on The Luton Town Supporters’ Trust Podcast discussing what could be a tricky night for the Hatters and posing a big question about what the FA Cup means to fans. Watch the full video podcast below…
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