Only about 3,200 last night - what a massive drop. I thought it might dip under 4,000 but not this much. Did anyone else think that despite this there was better atmosphere in the stadium? The Rainham End seemed to be about as loud as normal and there seemed to be much less moaning and getting on players backs.
Lowest league attendance since before 1997/98 season. If we lose to Torquay on Sturday, I fear that the attendance could drop even lower next Tuesday for the visit of Hereford.
There was a better atmosphere last night. I believe that the fans could see that the necessary changes in the defence had been made -and the back line didn't disappoint - a point not lost on the crowd with the generous applause with the announcement of the m.o.m - which could have gone to any of the back line. The fans seemed (to me) to be tolerant of the changes and the time required for them to gel. I did detect a certain frustration with the midfield ( as stated in another thread, sitting too deep in the 2nd half ) The forwards had some bad luck - but the team probably didn't do quite enough going forward to fully deserve the win. The general performance was better than of late - but needs improving upon if our season is not going to end in mid table obscurity.
Those who were absent missed a treat and it just reminded everyone how entertaining a 0-0 can be. Gills played well enough in the forst half to run away with the game but in the end were lucky not to concede 2 or 3 in the last 15 mins when the back four became very vulnerable to sheer fatigue.
As I said to brb via the twittersphere the crowd seemed very flat via the GillsPlayer. Bristol - you are the second person to say that the first half was one of our better 45 minutes this season, and this was reflected by the GillsPlayer but why did it drop of so quickly after half time? Fatigue for the kids will be a factor but I wouldn't expect that to take affect until 70 plus minute. This isn't the first time this has happened either, Port Vale was the same, as was Wimbledon at home, Accrington was the same (albeit the second half was the better). Why can't we play a consistant level for 90 minutes?
Fatigue in the back 4 was part of it but also the forwards and midfield stopped closing down as they were in the 1st half leaving the back 4 exposed. This might also have been fatigue related.
If that is right Grumpy then that is even more worrying. I expect the kids to tire both mentally and physically but the rest have been full time pros for a long time and should be able to cope with the rigors of the modern game. Do you think that it was fatigue or laziness for the more senior players?
Can't be sure but Rooney who couldn't manage more than 70 minutes with us played a full 90 last night for the swine. Their 2nd goal was a follow up after Rooney bounced one off the bar.
In answer to your question BSG, my analysis would be that it was not a surprise (nor a criticism) that Essam and Evans faded towards the end and King was wincing with every challenge over the last 15 minutes and was brave to soldier on. Three tired defenders are a big handicap in a team but Jackman was terrific holding it all together even though they were pretty lucky in the end not to concede. its a bit silly to think the team suddenly has a strong back four but they show a lot of promise if King is capable of playing regularly. The problem with Jackman at left back is no Jackman in midfield and that is a big void. Weston put in a Weston performance before his substitution which gave us 15 mins of Olee which was frankly embarrassing but it maybe unfair to make premature conclusions.
Gills played well in first half . Essam looks the real deal in defence remined me of King at his peak. He was not afraid to put any part of his body in the way to block there shots. Second half we looked tired and was very poor. At least we did not lose thats one match undefeted.
Attendance Crawley V Morcambe......just over 2000. Blue Square stuff. Crawley will fade away and may be play off contenders....just. What waits for them next season with a team that draws he lowest attendance in the league...who knows.
