I thought that Evans hated Gills - but - having gone to Stevenage, he does have List & Norris in his team........ no wonder they lost today. It's truly amazing that, with basically the same players as Evans, the Gills, under Harris look as if they can at least give the fans a bit of hope. If we can beat Fleetwood on Easter Monday, we could be 6 points ahead, and make it very difficult for Fleetwood to overtake us.
I also like how the toxic atmosphere left with Evans. The culture he created around the club was vile by the end. Fans are generally excited about the future again under Harris and some praise does actually have to be sent Scally's way for making this appointment. We're not across the line yet but boy have we got a chance. A 14 point swing we've seen under Harris and current form across a season would have us higher mid table so its incredibly positive to see right now.
Tackle of the season........... unless you think it's a penalty. I can't find it to provide a link - but - anyone who saw Jack Tucker's 'tackle' (( very, very deep into added on time )), would have no hesitation in admitting that it should have been a penalty - JT climbed on the back of the Stanley player - then flattened him ( ending up on top of the guy. ) How could the referee decide it wasn't a foul - I'd have been having a real fit if it was on Oliver (etc).
It did sound at the time, like we got away with one, about time we had some luck. Although is it me that just thinks the first pen was a bit soft, the oppo looked for it and Jacko delivered - their player wasn't even going anywhere with the first, because I think it was Tucker that had him covered. Very good three points I wasn't expecting.
And, of course - no mention from the Stanley manager about the mauling that Oliver got - being wrestled as he fought for the ball to create his shot that their keeper parried straight to Kelman...... Oliver is long overdue a few penalties awarded in his favour. Although Gills had to defend a fir bit, under Harris, this 'art' seems to have returned... And Kelman (in particular ), is working really hard. I hope that the goal for him and Oliver will be a confidence booster for the games to come.... ... as for Jackson's 'tackle' - what an idiot ?? - but - I suppose he can be forgiven - as Plan A seems to be working in recent weeks( both goals came from his throw-ins )..... If the ball goes into the penalty area ( by foot or hand ), it's likely to cause a problem - we must be alert to capitalise.
I thought Oliver was taking a bit of a mauling during that first goal, well I never thought, it was clear and obvious, it was right out of the crazy gang book of tackles. I listened to the Stanley Manager, crikey don't he go on, 8 long mins of him, nothing needed saying that long.
Obviously under Harris there has been a massive improvement, largely due to the defense which has given us a real chance of staying up. What I have also noticed is that if the other team scores first we lose the game. Which with now 5 games left we have to score before the other team otherwise despite this great turnaround will still turn out to not be enough. Last time we have actually scored at home was Cambridge on 8th Feb. Another worrying fact is we have not scored a goal on a Saturday at home since Harris appointment
I agree a massive improvement. Sadly NH has had to work with what he's got, I assume he finds our strength and desperate need to stay in this league in our tactical defence of the game, or more commonly known as time wasting and ten men behind the ball. This has worked quite effectively, even if not pretty. Yesterday we got to the 95th minute, looking at a point, that never looked likely before the game, however, we were finally done by a stunningly deserved goal in the 96th minute. I think you and I have sat opposite sides of the fence in regards to our main striker quite often, but no denying Oliver put the final nail in the coffin of Accrington, only the game before and jeez was I hoping he could repeat that again. Only one side has torn us apart under Harris, that I believe was Bolton? The glimmer of hope yesterday, was Wimbledon won again, the downside both Fleetwood and Morecambe won. Neil Harris now needs to quickly pick the guys up after Sunderland, because as you allude to the job is far from done. We should do it, we could do it, I just hope we don't go and Gills it, after all the hard work, but wow, what a rollercoaster.
