We will get slaughtered. Some would say that, for all their possession Swindon didn't score until the last minute of the 1st half - but ; Bywater made some good saves to keep the clean sheet for so long. - so I'm not so sure that it was absolutely brilliant defending that kept Swindon out. ( they wasted a couple of real chances ) There were plenty of people around me that vented their frustration at the negative tactics after we went 1-0 up. To a degree I can understand why Taylor employs such tactics - but it was tortuous to watch -- and, of course Gills can't defend a 1-0 (2-0) lead without messing it up! -- there were quite a few occasions when only the Swindon keeper was in their half of the pitch. --- eventually their possession in our half was always going to lead to at least one goal. I will say that the second half resembled a proper contest. The teams were quite well matched - and the play was a lot more entertaining. Going forward, Gills showed that they could be a threat to Swindon. If we had got some more of the fair judgements from the referee, we might have won the game with something to spare before Bywater's unfortunate slip. Peter Taylor - please do not be soooooooo negative.
Get real always! Last night Gillingham had a scratch side out against a team which was technically superior in all departments. Gills were ripe for a real hiding but the management got it spot on and stole a point and might even have grabbed all three. Strong performances from Kedwell and Bywater. Great scrapping from Dack/Davies/Hessy despite being overwhelmed at times. But the main credit went to Taylor and Hessy Senior for grabbing a point with the right tactics and strong motivation, the management team even acquitted themselves well in the punch up in the dugout. This was no night for Roy of the Rovers nonsense with half the team missing and it will be exactly the same approach against Newcastle (otherwise we really will get slaughtered). The Boys Own stuff can come when we do not have a depleted squad and the opposition is more the standard of Crewe and Walsall.
bristol407 - My OP comment was about the first half. As a Gills supporter I have always been pragmatic about my expectations of the team. On several occasions I have called for others to rein in THEIR expectations. I'm not so sure that it was a scratch side - the changes in personnel didn't dramatically lower the quality level from Saturday - although I do feel we missed Loft. I will concede that Swindon played some good football, but Gills gave them so much time and room on the ball in the 1st half that I'm surprised they didn't score more than one goal. In the 2nd half Gills showed a lot more intent to engage the opposition - and in my honest opinion that half was fought by two, fairly matched teams. As you say there was great scrapping by Dack, Davies & Hessy - but the same 'scrapping' wasn't evident in the first half. I am grateful that the management used their motivational skills at half time - but those skills should have been used from the dugout during the first half. We don't need to deploy Roy of the Rovers nonsense at any time - but I'm genuinely worried about a mauling next Tuesday if we sit as deep and stand off as we did in the first half last night - whereas in the second half we closed down Swindon quicker and had a more progressive style - and could have won the game. The same sort of play might just cause an upset against Newcastle ! --- OK, I know - I need to get real.
Well actually I thought Gills played very well considering we are trying to attempt a completely different style of football! Gillingham were obviously going to have times where they struggled but they were playing a very established league 1 team who have played that way for such a long time! I thought when we had the ball we used it wisely and the way we moved it was something completely different to what we have seen.. Of course the fans can boo at whatever they want, but to be criticising a young team so early in the season is ridiculous!
Newcastle have just spent thirty odd million on transfers over the summer. This might equal a whole CENTURY'S transfer budget for Gills! This put things fairly in to perspective. Never the less, I feel our young team , who are improving by the day as a unit, will do us proud on the night. Up the Gills!
Barmyarmy - just to clarify I wasn't critical of any one player. I am sure that they were following orders from Taylor. My concern was with the style of play for much of the first half. I have gone on to say that we played more progressively in the second half - I also said that I thought the quality of players was not much less than our side v Yeovil -that they were a match for Swindon in the second half - where tactics were greatly changed from the first 45 minutes - and that they could spring a surprise on Newcastle - so, whilst being realistic of our chances, we do have a squad that can play decent football. It is the tactics with which I have an issue. Up the Gills.
I thought we was poor last night and all the players on the pitch are professional footballers. We hardly ever passed it out from the back and look to play it on the ground. Yes we have some first team players out but let's be honest we made Swindon look special and they are not. Let's hope the quality and confidence will improve
I don't see how anyone can argue against Alwaysrights point about us being awful in the first half, because quite frankly we were iesand at half time i was praying we somehow made it out with a draw. 2nd half however we imprved with the pace injection but unfortunately Bywater made a fatal error, although he did keep us in the game on a few occassions before that. Just something i wouldn't mind adding, Callum Davies MOM, how is that possible?! John Egan or Kedwell all day for me.
Wasn't there, so hard to criticise opinions of those that were. But..... We had arguably our 4 best players not playing, and numerous other injuries. Might add Dickenson & McGlashen would'nt have been 100% or they would probably have started. As well as Fish not 100%. You could probably take the 4 best players out of any team in Div1 and they would not go very well. And given that Nelson, Cody & Loft make up about 75% of our total experience, makes it even tougher. I'd like to think we had a young team out there that gave every effort possible, didn't wilt and came away with a decent draw and nearly won. I do agree with comments about not being so defensive. I hate it when a team pulls everyone back to defend corners. Stupid idea imho.
Really looking forward to Tuesday night. never forget when I believe Pardew was in charge of West Ham and they came down to little old Priestfield in the championship and we beat them 2-0 and Defoe was sent off.
I have always been a believer of taking the game to the opposition and that attack is the best form of defence. This stems from the fantastic days of watching the ultra attacking Sir Keith Peacock teams with the 4-2-4 formation and goals a plenty and also from playing a life time of chess where tactics are so important. To be on the front foot and to be constantly asking questions of the opposition leaves them more concerned with what you are doing and hinders their attacking prowess. Of course it can leave you open to a counter attack but that is a price I am always prepared to pay when I am playing chess and also when watching the Gills. Of course you need the personal to be able to do this and perhaps on Tuesday we did not have enough fit attacking players who could start to pull this off. That said starting with six defenders at home did not show enough attacking intent and Swindon took advantage of this. The more attacking second half line up and the key introduction of pace meant a much improved performance. You also have to take into account the quality of the opposition so though we should respect Newcastle I think they would be quite shocked if we attacked them from the off and It is certainly something I would like to see us do. No point losing 2-0 and not having a go at them, take the game to them, be positive and if you lose 4-2 so what at least they will have known they have been in a game. Cmon u Gills attack attack attack and make us proud!
I thought Sir Trevor Brooking was manager for this game? Was the only game he lost as West Ham Manager wasn't it? Still I get your point.
Sorry I know it's got nothing to do with the thread but was this the game? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3109594.stm Back to the thread on the other hand I hope that the players will be able to relax and enjoy the match and, such as the match above, we will go out and play with a freedom that we don't seem to be able to at the moment. There is no pressure on this match. Go and enjoy it, play, smile and you never know.........
