Rovers are back at The Fully Charged New Lawn in League Two action for the first time in a month as we take on Barrow.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Bluebirds ahead of their trip to GL6.
MEET THE MANAGER: MARK COOPER
Mark Cooper is a man that needs no introduction to Forest Green fans as the former Rovers head coach spent five years at the helm in Nailsworth.
The 52-year-old had a 20-year playing career at wide variety of clubs including Birmingham, Exeter City, Fulham and Forest Green, where he spent a season in the early 2000’s.
Fifteen years on from his spell in Gloucestershire and he returned as manager, after gaining coaching experience most significantly with Swindon and Notts County in the EFL.
Cooper will always be etched in history as he was the manager who took Rovers to the Football League for the first time in our history.
KEY PLAYER: OLLIE BANKS
Ollie Banks joined the Bluebirds from fellow League Two side Tranmere Rovers back in January of this year.
Now 29, Banks came through the ranks at Rotherham and scored on his debut before various loan spells and a move to Gainsborough Trinity in 2012.
After more moves in non-league and three years at Chesterfield, the midfielder had further spells in the Football League with Northampton, Oldham Athletic, Swindon and Tranmere.
Banks headed north to Barrow at the turn of the year and has been a standout player for a struggling Mark Cooper side this campaign.
He is the sides penalty taker and has scored two from the spot on top of the four goals he has scored from open play.
FORM
19/10/21 – Barrow 1-1 Scunthorpe United
23/10/21 – Walsall 2-2 Barrow
30/10/21 – Barrow 1-2 Rochdale
13/11/21 – Carlisle United 0-0 Barrow
20/11/21 – Barrow 0-1 Crawley Town
LAST TIME OUT
Barrow fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Crawley Town at Holker Street last weekend extending their winless run in the league to seven games.
The away side had the best chance of the first half as a scramble in the Barrow box allowed space for Jake Hessenthaler to unleash a shot, which was saved well by Paul Farman.
Kwesi Appiah also came close just five minutes later as his long range strike strayed wide of the post to the relief of the home support in attendance.
The goal came just before the hour mark as Appiah stole the ball before playing in James Tilley, who rifled home his first goal of the season in front of their travelling fans.
Tilley almost had a second not long after as his in swinging corner, aided by the wind curved violently toward goal and needed stopping by Farman.
Barrow had a couple of chances but ultimately were defeated with John Yem’s side scoring their goal with their only shot on target.
The win was Crawley’s first in four league games while the Bluebirds are winless in seven and now sit just four points above the drop zone.
LAST TIME WE MET
Barrow halted Forest Green Rovers’ three match unbeaten resurgence by winning 2-0 at The Fully Charged New Lawn.
First half goals from Scott Quigley and Bobby Thomas helped the Bluebirds to a vital three points in their bid for survival.
The away side were awarded a penalty inside 15 minutes after Udoka Godwin-Malife scythed down Thomas before Quigley coolly dispatched his spot kick.
Just minutes later it was two. Luke McGee did brilliantly to stop Calvin Andrew’s scuffed shot but Thomas followed up to fire home his first goal of his professional career.
Aaron Collins and Jake Young had Rovers’ best chances either side of half-time but they couldn’t beat Joel Dixon in the Barrow goal.
The loss all but put Rovers out of the automatic promotion race whilst Barrow confirmed their League Two status with the three points.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two sides have met sixteen times playing games in both the National League and League Two, having both been promoted to the Football League in recent years.
It's Rovers who have the advantage in the head to head as they edge it with five wins to the Bluebirds’ four.
This fixture has had its fair share of draws with one 0-0 stalemate which came back in 2016, on top of six score draws.
