Getting a sustained spell in the Newport County AFC starting side of late has allowed supporters to see the very best of Tyler Forbes, according to the full-back himself.
Forbes has started five of County’s last six matches in all competitions and has recently built up a good relationship with Robbie Willmott down the right.
The pair combined for Willmott to get two assists against Chelsea U21s last month and they were at it again as the Exiles secured a 1-1 draw against Forest Green Rovers.
Following Scot Bennett’s unfortunate early own-goal, County hit back as Padraig Amond again scored away at The New Lawn, he got two last season, and Forbes and Willmott were instrumental in helping create the chance.
That continued County’s superb unbeaten run on the road in all competitions since the opening day of the season and here, you can read what Forbes exclusively told iFollow Exiles following the conclusion of the game.
On the draw with Forest Green Rovers…
"I thought it was a very close game. I feel it was an unlucky goal to concede from our perspective but sometimes luck is in your favour and sometimes it’s not. I thought after that we played some really good football in lots of areas of the pitch and I thought the team did well.
"I wouldn’t say it was playing on our mind as such [Forest Green being the only unbeaten side in League Two] because we knew we could come here and win the game.
"We know we can go anywhere in this league and win the game, we believe that, and we’ve got a great bunch of lads here.
"It was an unbelievable support today from the fans to travel in numbers today. We’re thankful for that and hopefully they see it as a good point in the end.
"It was very tense but it’s obviously a good feeling to be so close to the fans. First-half, they didn’t stop singing while I was over that side and that continued into the second-half as well.
"In the end, we see it as a good point and it’s onto next weekend now."
On the partnership being formed with Robbie Willmott on the right side…
"Robbie Willmott is a great player to play alongside. He stays out wide so when I give him the ball, I know he’s going to get straight at players.
"And then if he does come inside, it gives me the license to get around him. Obviously, he’s got the assist today, I felt he was a bit tired towards the end and I don’t think the gaffer wanted to risk him any further.
"Hopefully, we can keep that relationship going into next weekend as well.
"Robbie is a player that will always make an impact. We all know what he is capable of and I’m sure he knows that himself. We go into next week and hopefully he can do the same again."
On the goals scored by both teams at The New Lawn…
"It was an unlucky goal to concede I feel. The gaffer has told me to keep the man [Dayle Grubb] on his left-foot, I’ve shown him the line, he’s swung a leg at it and unfortunately, it’s come off one of our own players and gone in.
"Yeah [apart from that] I was happy with my own performance. I probably could have done a bit better, but I can’t dwell on that too much because we go onto the next game now. It’s a good point at the end of the day and I’ll be going into next weekend hoping to help get the three points.
"Robbie did really well to pick out Podge for the equaliser and he’s curled it in with the outside of his right foot. Podge can score from anywhere you know what he’s like, it’s a very clinical finish and it’s got us a good point today.
"I’d say we could have won the game, but we still see it as a good point. We’re still third in League Two so we just need to take it game by game and see what we can do."
On how he feels his debut County season is going and targets for the remainder of the campaign…
"It’s obviously very pleasing to have played a run of games now. All I’ve been looking to do is show the manager what I’m capable of and hopefully I can stay in the team.
"Pipey is obviously knocking on the door so I know I need to do well to keep my place in the team, like everybody else really. No position is safe in this team, everyone is at it every day and it’s giving the gaffer some tough decisions on game day.
"I feel like it’s been a good run for myself personally, but I want to keep that run going now and continue playing as many games as I can.
"My target for the rest of the season is just to play as many more games as I can. I want to give my all to this team and hopefully keep pushing on. I’ll get my chance to score eventually I’m sure, I don’t go up for corner-kicks that much but I’m sure I’ll go up for one or two.
"Clean sheets are more important than anything in my opinion. I believe, with the squad we have here, that if we manage to keep a clean sheet then we’ll win the game.
"As a defender, the clean sheet is the main focus."
On next weekend’s game against play-off occupying Stevenage…
"I think it’s important for us to look at ourselves more than anything because if we play the way that we know we can then we’ll be fine.
"It’s obviously going to be very crucial to have a good start at Rodney Parade. We just need to keep it tight and pass that 20-minute mark. Sometimes these things happen, we’ve shown great character to come back in the previous games but like we say, if we can cut that out then we’ll be flying.
"We’ll take a lot of positives from today’s result [into the game against Stevenage], it’s a good point against a team who are unbeaten.
"Personally, I don’t feel like we need a [midweek] break, we’ve got a number of players knocking on the door to come into the side. I feel alright, I’m sure all the players in there [the dressing room] feel alright and we just move on to the next game now and try to get the win."
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