Came away from the Gills game today not disappointed with the performance but upset with the attitude of some Gills fans. Seriously if people have got nothing else better to say about today's excellent first 60 minutes, than to moan about Lee and Nelson, then they need to find something else they feel is better to do on match days...because it is becoming tiresome and damn right bloody boring! I was intrigued to see why today our visitors were top of the league and what did I learn...nothing, because for the first hour we made them look average. That's how far we have come since the introduction of Dack and Hessy...not forgetting our one man goal machine in the last two games Bayo. Well done lads...and for the doubters no I have not had too much Christmas Ale... discuss...
I listened to the game,and particularly in the first half it did sound like we deserved our lead.Great for Bayo to continue his scoring streak.Orient did seem better in the second half,but going by the commentary they said we deserved atleast draw from the game.Another late goal conceded hurts as we have done it so many times this season.Luckily we have a game in three days time to try and put it right. Young Hessy was praised again,i`m glad we have found a great young talent to give us more quality in Midfield.
It was a decent performance I thought with Gills worth their half time lead but Orient might have just been worth the three points for the way they eventually, and perhaps inevitably took control. Taylor has done an outstanding job with the pitiful resources at his disposal. Bayo was great for half an hour but it really is embarrassing to see him totally knackered before half time. The quality of substitutes was a horror show with the lightweight German, ***an a fish out of water and Kedwell clearly unfit. But the rest of them scrapped hard, Harriman is outstanding, the midfield looks competent with Hessy junior doing the simple things well and Nelson did little wrong. we are stuck with a brittle central defence and a fixture list which will drag Gills down to the relegation zone but all is not lost. A bit more luck with injuries and survival is possible. It would be wise to get Macdonald to last the full 90 minutes given the lack of options. it is no good making substitutions for the sake of it because we became weaker with each one today although Bayo is inevitably an auto sub after 45 minutes or so.
There were periods of the game when Orient looked very ordinary, we wasted quite a few good chances in the dominant faze and it ended up costing us. Both the Orient goals could have been prevented and that always makes it sad, on the whole if that was a top of the table team we are much improved and should achieve safety.
brb I accept that Nelson made a mistake that led to the 2nd goal - but did the 'fans' moan when he saved the penalty ? - or when he has almost single-handedly saved us in many games ? It was gutting to concede so late in the game - when a draw was the least we deserved - but in the last few games we have shown signs of improvement in our ability to play the game to a level competent enough for L1. In hindsight I believe that taking off Akinfenwa was a mistake. Yes I could see that he was growing weary - but he was a real nuisance for Orient's defence - with at least two defenders employed to mark him ( remove his shirt etc ). When he went off, their defence could be heard to sigh with relief. I was amazed that Kedwell was used - clearly he was nowhere near as mobile as we have come to expect - I can't help feeling that it was doing him more harm than good. I'd like to express my disgust at the standard of the officials - especially the referee - he got so many decisions wrong - and some were actually against Orient. His decision making was probably the worst that I can remember this season... Akinfenwa got no protection - e.g. how did the ref and or linesman not see Bayo's shirt almost being removed by his marker ? anyway...we will play a lot worse than we did today - and win games !
A great improvement lately but it does not remove the disappointment at only gaining 1 point out of the last 6 available at home due to 'time added on' goals being conceded. It is at this time that the concentration levels have to be ramped up …otherwise, as we have seen, all the good work by the injection of different players and the improved attitude of others will be undone time and time again. A tired Bayo is better than no Bayo and I think that taking him off was an invitation to Orient to get back at us in our half rather than cause them concern in theirs. COYG
A good display yesterday. Shame we did not hang on for a draw against the leaders. We were the better team in the first half with Akin and Cody causing Orient defence a lot of trouble. Unfortunately when Akin tired and went off Orient started to dominate the game and did just about deserve the 3 points. The subs did not work today but they did against Posh, so am not using that as a excuse. After all Orient our top and we matched them for 1 hr of the game so if we beat Walsall on sunday this lose will not be to bad. On another bright note Hessy junior and Dack are really impressing me. The midfield is much more solid and has more energy. Although Nelson was at fault for there winning goal he again made some great saves which kept us in the game so will not blame him for the defeat and also there were 2 Gills players who could have cleared it on the line. Gills ratings Nelson 8 would have been 9 but for goal Harriman 8 one of his best games recently Martin 7 Steady Barrett 7 good first half Legge 7 played well cleared a certain goal but may have been at fault with Orient goal Dack 8 worked hard Hessy 8 played really well. Plays like the old man 100% but is more skilful and he was taking most of the set pieces. Gregory 7 solid deserves to be in the team Lee 6 did ok works hard but loses the ball to often. Cody 7 linked up well with Akin and looks fitter but again missed the chance to put Gills 2 nil up in the second half. Akin 8 caused Orient defence nightmares, tired a little but with Kedwell not 100% must start again on Sunday with Cody. German 5 lightweight compared with Akin ***an 6 did ok Keds 5 gamble to bring him on when not fit. If everyone is fit I would keep the same team on Sunday.
The comments on here gives me heart. I have no problem with people slating the team or individuals if we played bad and turned in a 90 minute dour performance. But if we had played in the last 30 as we did in the first 60 and held on to our 1-0 lead everyone would have been ranting how good we were. So I don;t see why those opinions should change just because we lost. Otherwise they are supporting the wrong team. After all the moaners can always go support someone like Cardiff, I'm sure Tan could do with some fans that are happy to wear red. Loyal blue blood is true in defeat as it is in a win and stands together, with manager and team.
