Well? Where is one? Waiting here to read about our first back-back win What chance our extending John Marquis loan to the end of the season...
SirKeefy I'm actually annoyed that we ( Taylor ) have wasted half the season with such negative football that we've endured under Taylor. Since the 'fab four' have taken charge we have reverted to a much more attacking style - and it appears to be reaping rewards please log in to view this image . I'm under no illusion that there is still a lot of work to do to retain L1 staus - but I'm not so sure that we'll encounter another team that will battle and cause us as many problems ( some not legal ), that Oldham gave us yesterday. The Gills showed that they were up for the fight - and didn't just sit back - even when we went 3-2 up. The first 30 minutes of the game was a little surreal. Marquis was allowed to 'walk' in his first goal - being unchallenged by the Oldham defence. His second was as a result of a terrible pass by the Oldham defence which allowed Marquis to be played in - and he coolly slotted please log in to view this image his low shot to the side of the keeper - and we were in heaven ! But Gillingham, being who they are, managed to make hard work for themselves. Whilst I admire Dack's enthusiasm and growing level of skill and all round contribution, he has been a little rash in some of his tackles - and has been close to a second yellow in recent games - including yesterday. He made two clumsy tackles to eventually trip the Oldham forward, resulting in their penalty. This certainly gave the visitors the initiative, and a few minutes later it was the turn of the Gills defence to perform like clowns. Garmstone made an awful back pass to Nelson - who made a dog's dinner of trying to 'control' the ball - before attempting ( and failing ) to pick up the ball - allowing for a simple tap in, into an empty net for 2-2. We spent the rest of the half trying to keep the score that way - although Hessenthaler did have a great attempt on goal. Some of the antics of Oldham, coupled with some inconsistent refereeing decisions seemed to favour Oldham - some of their players ( No.2 Brown ) were trying to make themselves more unpopular than the would be Oldham player Ched Evans. The second half was keenly contested in an old fashioned 'battle' - and it was good to see that we were up for that fight. Egan ( as usual ) was immense in defence. Emer was also impressive - as was Marquis - and not just for his goals. I said last week that he has a poor scoring record - but his work rate was excellent and if he continues please log in to view this image in the same vein will not make us miss Kedwell's absence. Under Taylor we might have been content with a point - but this is a 'new' Gills - and they remained positive and were rewarded please log in to view this image with a great Dack goal - albeit with a slight deflection. Other teams will be more skillful than Oldham - and we will lose games before the season ends - but if we continue to show the fight and the new-found progressive football, we have genuine reason to believe that we won't have to go to Barnet net season. Keep it up.
Nice one alwaysright I've been reading a lot of comments that we are certainly more attack-minded now. At least it won't be boring from here in...
No one seems to have taken any notice of my post on fansonline so here is my take on yesterday; The side had to show some tremendous battling qualities to win this one. Oldham's attacking was neat and purposeful all afternoon and they were a constant threat all afternoon. Gills were very good in patches with some very good individual performances. My view is that if we get a manager who can get the team to be a bit more compact and well organised defensively, then we still have the players that can do ok in this division. My marks are: Nelson 6 dreadful mistake for their equaliser, one or two decent saves, but truthfully Oldham didn't often test him. Hoyte 6 - committed defensive display. Can't remember him making many mistakes. Ehmer 7 - apart from the nervous moments when they scored, Ehmer had an excellent game at the back, and is forming a decent partnership with Egan. Egan 8 - another great performance. Strong in the air, confident on the ground. Garmston 6 energetic but a little erratic. Tried to get forward but on a couple of occasions lost the ball cheaply when he did so. Loft 7 I thought this match showed much more of what we thought Loft would bring to the team. Strong in the tackle and involved heavily all afternoon. Hessenthaler 5 I thought Hess had a rather poor game. Seemed a yard off the pace and was outmuscled too often for my liking. Looks a bit short of confidence. Pritchard 7 this was a very energetic performance. Chased down their defenders and was unlucky with one shot that forced a great save from their keeper. Dack 7 some very good and some not so good from Bradley. The good was his high energy throughout and a great shot, albeit deflected, for our winning goal. The not so good, the reckless challenge for their penalty. Mcdonald 7 couldn't question his commitment today. Involved in our first goal. Found it difficult to create anything apart from the chance at the end that drew a good save from their keeper. Marquis 8 great example of committed forward play. Never gave Oldham a moments peace. Was strong in the tackle and took his two goals extremely well. Subs Mcglashan 7 quickly gaining the reputation of a super sub. Gave the side renewed impetus when he came on leading indirectly to our winning goal Dickenson 6 gave a decent outlet so that we weren't desparately hanging on at the end. Anyone who suggests that the team isn't oerforming because we haven't a permanent manager should have been at this game. The team were committed and put in a tremendous amount of hard work to get the three points. Plenty of good stuff for a new manager to work on I think. UTG
Edge of your seat stuff. I've only managed to see the Coventry and Oldham game since PT's dismissal and I have been so pleased with the hunger that we showed. Sure, our defence is still a bit shaky when it sits back but the way we have moved forward and defended from the front in the past two games I feel the defenders been under as much pressure. I was very pleased with Pritchard's overall improvement and as you said Waldo I feel that Hess has been responding sluggishly and looked a tad off the pace. Marquis reminds me of a slightly more clinical Gary Mulligan, has physical presence and will continue to run for you all day, I also feel his passing play connects with Cody so much more effectively than any striker Cody has had along side him this season.
Perhaps we don't need a manager and effective co-operative is the 'new' way forward? Thoughts on a postcard??????
Many a true word are spoken in jest, I have enjoyed the last few games watching us "try to win" rather than "try not to lose" under PT we were so defensive/negative yet still had a terrible defensive record. Would the introduction of a new manager put us back to square one with yet another new system to get used too.
I hope we don't all get carried away. We've won two games against other teams that are mid-table/struggling. We've lost all the others.....
I know we're (myself included) going to get carried away but our first back to back victories of the season have made up just under 20% of our current points total. Just shows what dire straits we were in...
Talking about getting carried away......... I see Lee Johnson ( Oldham manager ) complaining about the Rainham End. He claims they are a 'lively bunch' and whipped up the team. He obviously doesn't get out much ! - should have been here August-December. ...makes a nice change to be lively -- and I'm certainly not getting carried away - despite the nose bleed I've got from being 16th in L1.
