Better team won last night, it pains me to say. Crawley weren't particularly threatening, but effective in stopping us attempting to play. They got players behind the ball, defended well and made us try to break them down, and as luck would have it, we just weren't at the races. Tactically, we seemed to have very little shape and fresh idea. We looked mildly threatening in the first half when we played a 4-4-2 with Obita and Whelpdale on each flank, but in the second half we tried to force the issue by playing what seemed like a very dis-orientated front 3. This left the midfield wide open for the likes of Torres (who I thought was outstanding) and Bulman who ended up scoring the only goal. A footnote, hope the supporter who apparently hurled racist abuse at their left back Carlos Valderrama in the second half gets his just desserts.
I have done a brief write up for those interested...http://www.gillingham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=276821
Tom - re the 'alleged' racism. I agree that it is unacceptable. Don't know where you sit - but the incident involved their player Howell. It was extremely close to where I sit. I didn't hear any racism - although I could hear Howell asking " What did you call me ?" in the general direction from where he received his ' encouragement ' to speed up the throw in. There was quite a bit of noise from this section of the crowd - such that if something racist was said, I would be surprised if Howell could hear it without me having heard it as well. The steward ( almost ) directly next to Howell was asked by the senior steward if he had heard anything racist. He said "No" From what I heard it appears that Howell was told to "Get on with it Ruud Gullit" - referring to the obvious likeness of Howell to a much better player. Whilst racism is not acceptable, there are times when the integrity of anyone claiming such treatment is questionable when the 'race card ' is used - just because it would provoke outrage by most reasonable people in society. If evidence is found against the person in the crowd then, and only then can we award sanction.
The site owner obviously has the scoring there for a reason, however, just a polite reminder we have had this discussion before in the best interests of the Gills board and its members. Therefore my view has not changed, we should refrain from post counting.
What's your problem - I find these posts ^^^^^^^^ very informative and packed with references to GFC ( a bit like this post )
What's your problem - I find these posts ^^^^^^^^ very informative and packed with references to GFC ( a bit like this post ) Oh dear - that wasn't supposed to have happened - my lap top went all womany and I ended up with a duplication of the post - that'll teach me for extracting the urine. Still - it's another one to my tally !
