4 min read
7th Mar 2023
Christian Marques has described his loan spell at Forest Green Rovers as a ‘good learning process’, despite injury forcing it to be cut short earlier than expected.
The under-21s defender is now on the road to recovery and has featured in the last two PL2 fixtures against Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion. Marques made 13 appearances for the League One outfit and was pleased with his personal performances throughout the two-month period, admitting he was surprised by the physicality but thrived in the challenge. With minutes under his belt once again, the 20-year-old says he has full focus on becoming 100% fit.
On the Brighton game
“I thought we started the game quite well and that was our game plan. But after 20/25 minutes, I think we could’ve pressed a bit better and then we made the pitch too big.
“They had a few chances and then when they scored the first one we got a bit down. After half-time we started off strong and were much better with our pressing.
“You could see at the end we were a bit tired but I thought the second half was a good reaction from the first half.
“We had to risk it a bit more in the second half because we were 2-0 down. I think it worked quite well and we had a few chances.”
On returning from injury
“It’s always tough coming back after an injury, especially while I was on loan. Step-by-step I’m getting there and I felt alright today.
“At the moment my minutes are limited so hopefully in the next game I might be allowed to play 90 minutes.”
On the Forest Green loan
“It was working quite well and I played quite a lot of games over there. It went well for me personally, even though the results didn’t go so well.
“Personally I think I did a good first loan where I played and the injury came in the worst moment.”
On the recovery process
“There was a little setback and I started training at the end of January. We tried to maybe get another loan move, but it was a little bit too tight.
“I decided to stay here at Wolves for the last two months to build up again and hopefully I can go again next season.”
On League One football
“You can see there is a difference. The strikers are twice as big and they look for more contact than here in the 21s.
“League One is much more direct and less risks are taken. I liked the challenge of something different to what I’m used to.
“I like to have the ball and find players, but I liked being in League One with Forest Green to defend a bit more – I really enjoyed that, so it was a good learning process for me.”
On the physicality of League One
“That’s what surprised me a bit the most. You can see there are more challenges, it’s more aggressive and if they come through the back of you to win a header, it’s not just an easy foul.
“I really liked the challenge and I think I’ve learned from that.”
On his aims going forward
“I just want to try and get 100% fit. I made a plan with the sports scientist over here and we’re trying to get my hamstring to 200% again.
“If I have to miss one game, I’m happy to miss one game. I just want to make sure my hamstring is on 200% at the end of the season for me to go again in the summer.”