Someone want to explain what happened Promotion, don't make me and no disrespect to Norris, but can we have Dack back in his free role please. also forgot to add I felt Hessy coming on changed the game for us, yes, we was backs to wall but as soon has Hess come on we fell apart. Nothing against the lad, I've always been supportive of him but I just felt it was the wrong substitution unless there was an injury to Oshi.
We started to fall apart as soon as El-Abd went off, he does more to help the defence than just playing. Dismal performance all round, this is not a championship team and league 1 beckons for next season.
grumpygit - actually thinking back you are right, my oversight on the El-Abd substitution. Although their first goal was scored within a minute of Hessy coming on, so maybe the combination of the two changes. Fully understand the first change but I think why I lost focus and you have corrected me is because I'm at a loss why the second sub took place. Second half they just ripped us apart. I would love someone to do me a comparison on the team against Sheffield United (4-0) and last night's team, because I'm just struggling to understand where this has all gone wrong.
The first goal was everyone backing off, the second was a lack of CB's, where they? Norris who always gets criticised for being lazy was busting a gut to get back and defend, so why weren't the CB's. The penalty was well saved, not a miss, it was well struck and the keeper guessed right, just wasn't our night.
brb I'm not so sure that it didn't start towards the end of the first half ! There was one ball that Dack cleared from a defensive position - into the Walsall half of the pitch. Did anyone bother attempt to get onto the end of this 'pass' ? -- NO -- it was Dack himself who ran upfield to be the first Gills player to challenge for HIS own pass. There was a huge amount of conserved energy from our players in the second half - allowing Walsall to walk all over and through us, with little attempt to fight for the ball or even be in the same postcode as the Walsall player ( with, or without the ball ). I don't expect my team to be world beaters - but I do expect them to try -- Gills had a very good first half, and the Walsall keeper made 3 excellent saves to keep the score at 0-0. So, having 'tried' in the first half - why decide to do nothing in the second ? - The effort simply wasn't good enough. Perhaps Scally has better foresight than for which we give him credit - but I'm not sure how many more Millwall tickets he will sell - and I think we can all plan for our holidays to begin before 29th May ( if not sooner ).
Been a Gills supporter for 50 years and have seen it all before I mentioned 10 weeks ago we would be lucky to even stay in the play offs and barnsley in great form won again last night now only 3 points in it, with Burton and Millwall to play this is the end im afraid
I agree with most of this, soz guys but still recovering from what actually happened to put accurate memories to words. Yes, absolutely the Walsall keeper made three excellent saves and as alwaysright has highlighted - that should not be overlooked in any assessment. But another point I want to raise is the lack of pressure on the opposition keeper, saw it so many times last night....or didn't should I say, where Norris and especially Cody who is renown for it failed to hassle their keeper in the box, I get really hacked off when I see players (Norris) too slow to react, it aint always going to come to you up front, you have to go to the round object itself....pressure, pressure, pressure all the time and that is what was lacking in the second half - not for the first time either.
Well I suppose these previous comments might be appropriate for a thread headed Second Half, but they do not really reflect the whole game. Gills played their best football for ages in the first half and enjoyed control of the game for long periods with Walsall just about hanging on. McDonald was sharp, Garmston was a revelation and nearly scored goal of the season after 90 secs and the centre backs dominated. So, what happened? Well from my viewpoint Wright, Crofts and Dack had howlers. Dack had an excuse but he was the culprit who presented Walsall with their first goal, Crofts after his great start at Southend seems to have just faded, Wright is having his shortcomings exposed as he tries to play further forward but he has been excellent previously. Sadly, Garmston faded after his powerful start. So, all of a sudden it is the midfield that looks to be failing. Dack should hopefully return to match fitness, Crofts is capable of raising his game (but will he?), and Wright might need to play where his lack of pace is less exposed. As for Norris, he should not be castigated for the penalty miss and he is not useless. The mystery for me is why the coaching staff cannot rectify his inability to get early movement when the ball travels in the air. It can be remedied! The other story is the non performance of Edinburgh. He can still restore his credibility but taking account of the quality of what he inherited he is starting to look fallible. Mind you a win on Saturday with a goal from Crofts and Mcdonald will make it all look a whole lot better. Defeat and there will be a lot of fingers pointed at JED. In recent months Gills have looked worse than 12 months ago.
Pretty good assessment there bristol407 - much again everything I would agree with, glad you picked up on Wright & Crofts again bang on the nail with your viewpoint about them two. Although as for Crofts and Cody with goals on Saturday, excuse me while I choke on my cuppa
Glad Edinburgh saw the game same as us with his assessment of the poor second half effort. Now we will see on Saturday if he is a good manager or got lucky with team he inherited. 3 points on Saturday is a must now. Also why was Mcglasion not on the bench, someone who could change the game.
