Pegleg - you are too kind !
I applaud the application of the squad...Also, I am realistic as to the skill levels of our players - so - the following observations are not necessarily intended to be criticism....... not because I fear a red card from Mr. Scally, but because I'm not sure that there are solutions to the problems that concern me.
I said a couple of weeks ago that we currently have the worst back line that I have known at Gillingham - that certainly didn't change yesterday. I don't rate Bonham - he struggles to command his 6 yard box -let alone the penalty area. The direction of his kicking isn't brilliant- but, I suppose he's fairly average for L1. As for Jackson...If I promise not to be unkind about his football skills - I won't have anything to say... Seriously, even for L1, Jackson is poor - although he never 'backs' out of a challenge ( partly because he's nowhere near to actually 'defend.' ) As for O'Connor - a younger version of Jackson -- with the difference that O'C does avoid challenges !...... O'Gilvie - it's all the fault of Steve Evans - who assured fans that O'G will never again play at left back.... Well with the amount of room that the opposition have down our left. it appears that nobody is playing as left-sided defender ! All that O'G has done recently is perfect the art of falling over ( to win a free kick ),if he thinks he can't win a challenge..... So - we don't have a RB or LB.
Tucker - last season he looked ( probably was ) quite good --- well - certainly in comparison with League 2 bound Max Emer. This season, Tucker has been 'bullied' far too often. He needs to spend a bit of time in the gym in the summer --- I suppose it doesn't help that, due to Jackson's 'absence', Tucker is often being pulled out of position to cover - thereby exposing holes in the middle of the defence.... Also - Tucker is far too negative when it comes to recycling the ball - go forward - not back to Bonham all the bloody time !
Dempsey & Graham... Probably our two best players ( how much longer in a Gills shirt ? )... Dempsey can't be expected to 'carry' the team... As for Graham - Why does Evans ask him / switch him to the left side ? Graham's strength is providing crosses from the right. He does this quite well - considering that he's often 'doubled-up' by defenders. When he goes to the left, he simply is much less effective.... Is it to accommodate Samuel - who isn't a right sided midfielder / winger. Samuel is more suited to playing 'off' a target man - to feed from knock downs / knock ons - that should be provided by Oliver & or Akinde from crosses by Graham..... Sorry, Mr. Evans - but, in my opinion, when you put Graham on the left, and Samuel on the right, you have 2 players not in their best positions ( as well as defenders not in position ).... Oliver and Akinde together is not an effective combinations (( just as if Akinfenwa & Akinfenwa wouldn't work ! ) - but that wrong tactic is not the fault of the players.
For 2021/22 Gills will need a clear-out ( of most of the defence ) Gills may need to replace Dempsey & Graham. The forwards, if played in the correct position and alongside complementary styles, have enough to get goals in L1 ...........see - it wasn't all critical !
