WHILE Argyle’s immediate focus is on Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two fixture against Forest Green Rovers, manager Ryan Lowe also has an eye on Bristol Rovers against Bromley in the FA Cup.
The gaffer has been invited to work as a guest pundit by BT Sport for the first-round replay on Tuesday evening, with the victor hosting the Pilgrims in the second round.
“I’ve been kindly asked by BT to be on the TV, so I’ll be down there analysing and talking,” he said. “I’ll be there to watch and it will be a great opportunity for Bromley because they are flying high, but Bristol Rovers are too.”
Bromley earned an impressive draw at Rovers in the first tie and are enjoying a good campaign in the National League, but Graham Coughlan’s Pirates have also started their season well and currently sit just one point outside the play-off positions in Sky Bet League One.
“I think Bromley are going well in the National League,” said Ryan. “At Bristol Rovers, Graham is doing a great job there and we know it is going to be tough.
“To get through to the third round, it’s never been easy, has it. People saying that you want a team at home with a lesser league team, sometimes that’s a scalp isn’t it. I’ll be down there doing the game at Bromley with BT, so I will get a good insight and get a good watch of them, but whoever it is, it is.”
Back to Ryan Lowe’s focus, it is certainly beneficial that he has watched Forest Green play last season, especially in their semi-final play-off match against Tranmere.
He already has an idea of how they play and what their manager [Mark Cooper] is all about. However, the boss will not take this for granted and will still go through the process of thoroughly analysing the opposition this week.
“They [Forest Green] have changed formation, they are playing 4-3-2-1 now or they can play 3-5-2 or 4-3-3, so it changes,” said Ryan.
“What I know about Coops is that he is a fantastic manager, he plays the right way, so we will have to think of a way that we think we can nullify their strengths and look at their weaknesses.”
A victory for Argyle would close the gap on current leaders Forest Green to just five points and a potentially crucial opportunity to set the tone ahead of the traditionally hectic Christmas period.
“I think the Christmas build up and the games over Christmas are vital,” said Ryan.
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