There were lots of intriguing issues at Priestfield yesterday. First of all there was another good performance against strong opposition. Closely fought throughout, it looked like the Franchise were starting to overwhelm Gills in the second half....until Garmston stole the vital goal. a star in the making. Edinburgh looked bemused and apprehensive that somebody might pinch him so that he wakes up and finds it all a dream. Not even in fairy tales does a football club change its manager so that the new guy walks in on a winning team, full of developing youngsters who should improve week on week, a talented squad assembled, all the development work completed and no threat (yet) of the best of the squad being tempted away. It is the script of Disney. Then there is the mystery of the disappearing crowd. 12% down on the previous game despite more attractive opposition, a longer winning streak, and pleasanter weather to enjoy it all. And there seemed to be so many less women supporters. Perhaps they stayed at home to listen to the game on the radio. All in all though, much to admire. A bit of concern at quality of what was on the bench though. What was available hardly matched the needs on the pitch when MKD started to dominate the second half. But they made it...just
Aren't you contradicting yourself there Brizzie, you mention that JE is the luckiest manager in the history of football inheriting a team with`all the development work complete´ and therefore belittling any impact JE may have had on the team, but then bemoan the quality of the bench, implying that the squad was not as complete as you first insinuated. Your continued support of PT is admirable but it time to let go of that bone and get behind the current management
To focus on the title of the thread rather than how lucky Edinburgh is, the crowd yesterday was thumping. Last week we had a good atmosphere being spurred on by anger at refereeing decisions, this week the crowd urged on those goals. I feel that the aggression from the crowd got the third and fourth goals yesterday as much as both Bradley and John's ability. Their keeper was frightened and panicked from the start.
The radio did not even broadcast this game as there was some dispute. I thought the attendance was smaller than expected. Would have expected at least 6500 with recent good form and new manager. The supporters that came earlier this season must still think we play negative football when Taylor was in charge. Another worrying point is with all the tv money going to the prem and supporters from the prem want ticket prices to go down, if they do what can Gills prices be to make it a profitable club. Very difficult to say what is good value. Even in non league clubs charge around £15 per game.
bristol407 The 12%drop was due to the fact that Sheffield Utd brought over 500 more fans than MK Dons. We have a core fan base of around 5000. It's not surprising that we may have 'lost' a few before Christmas - what Taylor was offering was hardly in the spirit of good cheer ! - and with the seasonal expenses & the New Year utility bills popping through the letter flap, it's not surprising that the current attendance has been down-- although I thought that recent results and reports of 'attacking' football, might have encouraged a few more to be curious. Don't worry - if we get to Wembley on 24th., May, they'll all come out of the woodwork - and moaning because they can't get a ticket.
Bristol it's insolent to suggest that Saturday had nothing to do with JE at all, i saw a team that had done their homework on the opposition, closing from the front as MKD tried to play it out of defence. The improvement under the gang of 4 was that the shackles have been taken off and free flowing football came about, particularly for a plyer like Dack for example. However for the last 2 games i've seen the aforementioned as well as more discipline and clear tactics tailored to the opposition. We've heard he's a methodical manager who does his homework and i've certainly seen that in the last 2 games, additionally, Galbraith has started the last 2 where he wasn't used at all by the gang of 4, in both games he has been fantastic and proven a great barrier between defence and midfield, a role that Hess and Loft have not been able to fill. On Loft, his performances in the last week have been what I expected of him when we first signed him, long may it continue. Good work Justin, i'll be at Yeovil on Saturday hoping for more of the same, will be interesting to see how we adapt in a game where we are probably favourites for the first time in a number of months.
Oh I do feel vulnerable when you all shout at me! But I will summon up my courage and reply. First of all are you aware of the tale about the yacht builder? Well a new yacht with huge commercial importance had just been completed and was undergoing time trials. The Chairman was outraged at the slow speeds being achieved and dismissed the designer replacing him with a guy known as a competent yacht designer. Speeds improved almost immediately and the Chairman was so delighted that he organised a champagne party to celebrate. At the party the Chairman demanded to know the whereabouts of his new blue eyed boy only to be told that he was on a course learning about sail design. The Chairman insisted that the skipper explain this need only to be told that he had hired a hull designer, the hull was already built so he needed to occupy his time. But what about the fantastic improvement in speed to which the skipper explained that he had just installed the new sails that had been designed by the old sail designer before he had been sacked. Exit one embarrassed Chairman carrying a crate of champagne. OK so nobody is interested in tales from the boatbuilding industry but lessons learnt elsewhere can be powerful. Now BSG's plea to get behind the management is a fair point but in reality it is not needed at present. It happens automatically when the team does well so BSG can relax. The time to get behind the management is in the period when things go less well and those without the ability to think let their emotions override their intelligence. It is the sort of thing that can happen when, say, a run of success is followed by a couple of home defeats even if they are to top teams. Turning to Gioblues and Always, were you both in Outer *****lia last week or is my dismal attempt at humour just too subtle. My comments about the crowd and the definite reduction in attendance from women was a reference to the small but recognisable
I wasn't finished. To continue, I was just saying that there did seem to be a small boycott by women and mums and dads. Unrecognisable in the season ticket areas but noticeable in some parts of the ground. I guess their concern was even more heartfelt when they found the radio commentary banned. It really is a strange way to behave by punishing supporters when the Chairman is in dispute over a fine detail of a BBC news report. It could lead to the smallest award for damages of all time. Finally I must respond to Man Ant Dog who I am glad to see is safely back from the Ukraine. I did not mean to be insolent to Justin. In fact I really do admire the way he has turned it round since last Monday. In fact it is even better than that because he would have been busy shaking hands all day Monday, Tuesday was trip to Peterborough, Wednesday the players probably had off so that just left Thursday and Friday for him to transform things. A real achievement.
One of the Dons forums suggested that we chose to turn round before kick off in order to get on their keepers back from the start, I don't if that it is true but it would seem to be have been a very good tactic if it was!
bristol, how many of Taylors permanent signings started last two games? Yes only Loft and Player of season Egan. He also signed Hoyte but was ready to let him go. The loan players like Hause and now Ehmer as well as Doughty have been good. So no this is not Taylors team. The other players were already there and now that Taylor has gone are playing better, even Mcglastion looks the real deal.. Garmston, Marquis and Galbraith in the starting line up none brought in by Taylor. Do you really believe we would be anywhere near 10 points off relegation if Taylor was still here. You can put what ever spin on it you like but we would not be anywhere near this position.
I always doubt the impact of the fans, these are professional footballers they are used to high pressure situations. Whenever i hear argument i tend to think it is the fans trying to big up their part when really all they are is a simple cash cow
bristol407 You doubt that I have a sense of humour ! I am a fan of Gillingham FC - I need to have a huge sense of humour to follow this humble team for many decades - where my 'home' attendance now involves a journey of over 100 miles. I have missed one home league match in about 25 years - and that was to go to see Barcelona at the Camp Nou. my post relating to the attendance was to state some reasons for the low figure - I reserve my stupidity and sense of humour fo the Alwaysright Gordon Road stand thread. ps - good luck with your mission to defend Taylor - I could give you stick - but others are doing a good job ( easy really )
Gio... your arguments are becoming plain silly. Are you really suggesting that players who predate taylor somehow do not count as Taylor's team. Is it not a management decision who is in the squad? Is it not just as much an executive decision to keep, say, Nelson, Dack, and Hessy jnr as it is to dispose of Whelpdale, Lee, Barrett, Gregory, Kedwell etc etc. I think the significance of the decisions are exactly equal. Now, I am no fan of the loan system but it is right for certain circumstances, and I think the process is to identify the target, sound out the club, have the target watched and then agree a commitment with the other team manager on the way in which the player will be used. Except in emergencies this does not happen overnight. The point I make is that Garmston and Marquis may have arrived a few days after PT departed but their arrival is likely to have been initiated by him. So, there is a pretty good argument that all 11 starters on Saturday could be labelled as PT's. When the squad is established for next season it is right to label them as JE's but unless JE brings some people in between now and May this will remain as a squad built by PT.
Finish by saying. Well done Scally for getting rid of Taylor.Best decision he has made.You my fellow supporter would you rather be fighting to stay up playing negative football or win games playing attractive football. I do agree with a lot you say BUT Taylor going is a good thing for everybody, team and supporters
Who cares if the team is PT's or not, it's performing a hell of a lot better now than it was under Taylor, which surely says a lot, so your argument doesn't really work Bristol. To come back to your point, if you read my original post i did not say that it was purely Justin's input that got us the win on Saturday, but i certainly noticed a difference from the gang of 4 games, which could only have come from him therefore he deserves credit that you seem so begrudging to give him.
