I may have done O'Gilvie a disservice on Saturday. I placed him at No.3 in the 'Star Player' thread.. On reflection, I should have put him at No.2.... Because - of his 'flick off' when we took the corner that lead to the first goal. Corners have been a huge problem for Gills over recent years -- we seldom seem to be able to beat the 'first defender.' The opportunity then fizzles out ! -- but -- have we found a solution to this problem ? O'Gilvie scored from a 'fairly short' corner against Southend a couple of weeks ago. The ball 'skimmed' off his head and went in at the back post...... At first I thought that we got lucky - but - Against Blackpool, O'Gilvie again met the corner before it reached the front post. He again '' flicked off'' the ball - towards the back post. Tucker was in a great position to recycle the ball towards the goal - and Samuel did the rest... It is obvious that the move was ''planned'' / accommodated, to give us the maximum chance(s) to score ( especially with the goalkeeper being 'taken out' of the equation by O'Gilvie's ''flick off''...... for which I would like to express my appreciation, and invite him to continue to ''flick off.'' ps - it's not my fault that the letter L and I are set close together in the thread title !
I had noted a massive improvment in corners, I was giving Graham the credit, seems I might have done O'Gilvie a disservice as well then, by what you say. I think corners is one of our biggest threats now to the opposition. Whereas before we were absolute dog poo at them.
brb I have been rather surprised, in recent years, that we have not had a better idea as to how to maximise an opportunity to put the opposition goal under threat - from corners or free kicks.... It has seemed that we haven't had any strategy -- which has been a pity and a wasted chance to score - especially when you consider the apparent disparity of our strike force, compared with ''bigger-spending'' opponents. I am sure that Evans knew that Blackpool's defenders were 'giants' - and conventional crosses into the box was never going to be a winner - hence the absence of 'hoofball.' The corner for the first goal proves that a plan can succeed to nullify defenders 2 metres tall - and it was very pleasing to see a player ( Tucker ), in position, at the 'far' post, to put the ball into a great area .... now we need somebody who could shoot like Nicky Southall at corners.
I think we have seriously been lacking in many departments until the arrival of Evans. I would probably have to go back to August 2015, when I last saw what I would deem as a memory worthy attacking performance. The 4-0 home thrashing of now Premiership side Sheffield United. Managed by Justin Edinburgh (RIP) - a side containing the likes of Dack and Egan. Before that you'd have to go back another five years, to the days of Barcham and Co, where the Rainham End would come under an onslaught down the flanks until the final whistle. Albeit after that, Maddog built us a side (the 2 metre tall rule) for the SOLE purpose of getting us out of L2. My point being is that Evans has breathed some fresh air into the team, and at time when clubs have their backs to the wall. Against Blackpool it wasn't pretty but I certainly got my monies worth from the game. Sadly we are Gills, and we know damn well something is going to burst that bubble at some point, let's just hope it's not the club going under.
I think he signed last summer on a 2 year deal, hopefully we offer a new contract now before he walks at the end of the season on a free.
