Tim am I right in thinking you was at the game today? The Gills Player commentary in regards to detail was poor, can you give us some insight in regards to individual(s) performance.
I've honestly seen better defending watching sunday league football. Shocking we arent Barcelona we cant out score sides....
Yep, and met up with BSG, but unfortunately forgot my blindfold (see my prediction league post). I prefer to wait a while before passing judgement, as impulse thoughts are not always the best, and also prefer to look at a team performance rather than pick on individuals but the first comment I have to pass, Brian, is that it really was a game of two halves. As I've said, I don't like to pick on individual players, and on ths occasion it would in any case be difficult to select any one outfield player for condemnation as it was just a collective defensive / midfield mess in the first half, but Flitney does have to be selected for special mention. The first goal resulted from a VERY poor throw out that landed at the feet of an Accrington player, at a time when the rest of the defence was starting to push out. Blame - 100% Flitney. In general only Richards seemed to have any idea about how to offer up any sort of defence, fairly basic, but generally got the job done when the ball was at his feet or near his head, but he was just as bad as everyone in standing off attacking players, probably because he had no confidence in the cover behind him, but that made him partly responsible for the set up for one of the goals (second or third, I wasn't taking notes). For one of those Flitney just didn't seem to make any effort to get to the ball - no anticipation, no early movement and stuck on his goal line. Time and time again Accrington had 3 against 2 on their right because the Gills midfield wasn't covering back, but Flitney just wasn't giving anything to the defence in terms of directions. Accrington were playing towards the Gills fans in the first half, and I don't think I heard a single shout. He just didn't seem to have any command of the 6 yard box, and when just before half time the ball came in from the right (surprise, surprise) as a result of Lee standing off (surprise, surprise) about 2 yards out Smith looked almost apologetic when he tapped the ball in that he was in so much space so near to goal. In the second half Jack Payne was off (see below) and Curtis Weston on, and the defence played a higher line and connected better with the midfield. There was much more width to the game, the running off the ball was better and there was far more urgency for the midfield to get to the second ball. Why it took what I think should have been an all out cup throwing rant from Hessy to achieve this is another mystery. Gazzaniga was obviously communicating with his defence - something that was apparent from 100 yards away, and was for more willing to come off his line and take control. He didn't have a great deal to do in the second half, but what he did he did pretty well (one fresh-air kick at a virtually dead ball aside...) and made an excellent save right at the end having got back from being in the Accrington box for a Gills corner near the end. Gills definitely deserved to get the further 2 goals back. Jackman's first half goal from a free kick was an absolute peach - look out for that one on the FL show tonight. After a pretty anonymous first half Tomlin played well playing behind Kuffour, and took his goals well, although their keeper was totally at fault for the first, and let in the second one through his legs. So, a spirited fight back, but on the first half performance Gills didn't deserve to get anything out of this - whilst they were better in the second half it didn't balance the pathetic first half performance. Jack Payne took a heavy knock in the first half, hence the substitution at half time, and I saw him limping heavily when he walked out of the dressing room to the bus after the game, but hope it's something that isn't too serious. On the plus side I did get to meet up with BSG before the game, and can recommend the Thwaites Wainwright bitter and the hospitality in the Grey Horse. Unfortunately as I was driving I wasn't able to drink sufficient to be able not to remember the match. And to compound the masochism I'm now considering going to the Burton match in a couple of weeks time.
As discussed with Tim and BSG on the terraces today, I do think Gazza should now get a run in the team just to see what he is capable off. Also does anyone know why King didn't get a start. Is he carrying a knock? Surely he has to start next weekend probably as a partner to Richards. With regards Hess, he needs a strong number 2 and not just his best friend. When he was Player/Manager last time he had John Gorman as number 2 and they worked well. Then last season he had Ian Hendon to work with (Plus Cody Mac scoring a lot that helped!!!). I believe this is what Hess needs an independent observer with the experience that he and Trigger lack. According to Wikipedia Stan Ternent is a Scout at Sunderland, could he be tempted back on a short term contract to the end of the season??? I say give Hess at least the rest of this season. However, I might change my mind if we don't get the right results in the next couple off games. Tim hopefully see you at Burton in a couple of weeks.
(Sorry but) I thought that we've had enough off games this season (last 4 in a row) I said last week that we have the players that are capable of scoring 3 in every game - and I also added ' but how many will we concede.' From what I can see ( and remember ) our defensive problems have stemmed from the loss of recognised full backs - this needs to be sorted QUICKLY.
I don't think the problem is with both fullbacks, yes we miss Fuller, franky Lee isn't up to the job at rightback but I do rate Martin. Once again yesterday I thought we lacked width in midfield as a result the fullbacks we often exposed two or three on one too often in the first half. The first half display in general was very poor, with only Jackman, who covered every area of the pitch and Richards, never afraid to stick his body in the way. I said on the day that I didn't think Flitney did much wrong, the defence left him woefully exposed on too many occassion but on reviewing the goals on the football league show hed did seem too static, although credit to the Stanley boys' finishing. Second half was much better, as Tim said the back for played a higher line, boosted by the fact that Paulo wasn't afraid to leave his six yard box. But despite the improvements in the second half we seemed to lack any urgency going forward, and until our third goal I don't think we thought we could get anything out of the game. On the plus side it was good to meet up with fellow not606ers and the Wainwrights was indeed a very nice pint. Also considering Burton, seeing as Hess has offered the fans a refund (not sure how it will work out though,
