Bradford showed their quality last night and tbph, I never really felt it was our night for scoring, there was a couple of decent chances in the second half, but sometimes you just know when the gods are against you. Let me take nothing a way from Bradford, they were clearly the better team and deserved their win. Not such bad news for the Gills, because it just demonstrates what is required and where we need to improve. Mistakes happen, and sometimes a player gets mugged, but it's not the initial action I question, but what you do afterwards that counts, taking several seconds to decide what to do leads to goals against you, as demonstrated here... Remonstrating with the ref afterwards is too late, you play to the whistle.
I think Ehmer was too busy having a 'dig' at the referee - instead of trying to bust a lung to get back..... And to be (a little ) fairer to gioblues - Masterson could have done better... ....I totally agree with the argument of Ehmer, and The Gills - the referee & linesman got it wrong - missing the foul a few moments earlier - but- as you say, brb - deal with the play - not stop and point a finger whilst Rome burns. brb- I agree that Bradford ( eventually ) showed their better quality - - but - - I maintain that this coincided with the second goal - a game-changer that knocked the stuffing out of the side -- who I thought was capable of getting a point- up to Ehmer's unfortunate error..... which was made all the more unfortunate - because I had him as man-of-the match in the first half. The saving aspect of the game - the defeat wasn't against one of the sides who will be vying for extinction.
First half I felt the goal was against the run of play, but that can often happen with teams that have most possession, and even though we went in 0-1 down at half-time, it never gave me any cause for concern. Sadly Ehmer's unfortunate error straight after the break left a mountain to climb - I didn't have a problem with the opposition player getting the better of him, you can't win everything in football, what I did have a problem with was his failure to immediately back track, and as the ball hit the back of the net, we could see Ehmer remonstrating with the ref. You said yourself and I agree, Materson could have done better, and maybe that's what Ehmer was relying on but you shouldn't just give up like that, what do you think would have happeneed if that was MacDonald, I'm pretty sure he would have busted a gut to put the guy in the stand, sometimes we need to be a bit more ruthless. It's L2, they take no prisoners here. Despite a couple of close misses for us, O'Brien being probably the best of the bunch, I felt we were lucky not to be losing by more and Bradford were very deserving of their win. It's not often teams admit to being outplayed, but that simple fact was, I can see why Bradford are where they are, and that's the standard we need to aspire to for next season. Quick word on Tutonda, I've seen him do it several times now, he delivers a mean pass, although I feel a little nervy with him when up against a quality player in defensive mode. Are we sure this guy shouldn't be playing in midfield! I wasn't overly impressed with the subs last night, is that just me, I don't wish to be unkind. Is MacDonald injured, if so I hope he's not out for too long, for me he's the key. It's ok, I've just seen this... https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2023/february/report--gills-0-2-bradford/
brb - fair(ish) comments.. I still believe the game swung heavily in favour of Bradford only because of the 2nd goal... Like you, I can forgive mistakes - I've been doing it for 60 years.... I know the limits of Gills players ! I have stated on several previous occasions that I cannot tolerate a lack of commitment.... Max, despite any penalty concession, has been doing well since January - and I will forgive mistakes ((( even if I slap my head at his foolishness. )))............. Sadly for Ehmer the incident comes at a time when he is foremost in the comments of some of our members..... and for some (me), the lack by Ehmer, to try to rescue the situation, gives a certain credibility of (my) claim that Ehmer has profited from being partnered by central defenders with greater ability.... ....Last night's performance also highlighted the limitations of other players - such as Alexander & Tutonda..... Both have shown much improvement recently - - and were on 'probation' in my eyes --- but-- clearly have shown that, if Gills hope to compete at the top end of L2 (let alone L1),we need to be recruiting better fullbacks for next season...... and sadly, O'Keefe is not good enough and Williams struggled when a bit of pace was required (( to back-track)), in several situations.
