Martin says team will stick together and move forward following defeat at Wolves
Martin Allen said now is not the time to be downhearted and is determined to help his players improve after a 4-0 defeat to Wolves at Molineux.
Goals from Bakary Sako, Lee Evans and a brace from striker Leigh Griffiths ensured all three points for the home side, with the Gills best chances falling to Danny Kedwell and Charlie Lee in either half.
Martin conceded it was a disappointing performance but says his squad need guidance and support going forward.
He said: “I thought it was very disappointing to be fair and I don’t think we played anywhere near we can. Wolves had a strong side and a good team but the one thing we wanted to do was to keep them quiet in the first 20 minutes.
“We didn’t manage to do that and it gave them the momentum they wanted with the crowd right behind them.
“In the first couple of minutes we got two good crosses in to their box which was a good start, and from their first attack they scored which was obviously a big blow.
“It’s always going to be difficult coming to these sorts of grounds – a fantastic occasion but it wasn’t to be.”
Martin said the idea was to limit Wolves chances early on and then try and take advantage of the opportunities that came along, but after being 3-0 down before the interval it made a comeback increasingly difficult.
He added: “It was part of a game plan, they have a very expensive squad and they have some fantastic players, Premier League players, playing in that team today.
“I can take a loss if there are some individual moments of brilliance from top quality players but I thought we gifted them too many goals, too easy.
“All the players are very disappointed as they haven’t given a good account of themselves; it was a fantastic occasion for our club.
“I wouldn’t ever highlight any individuals, we came here on the team bus together and we go home together. We all stand as one, the team has been beaten and defeated but there are 44 games to go.
“To have won today but would have been extraordinarily special.”
The Gills boss was asked what he said to the players at half time, he replied:
“If you can imagine coming in to the dressing room at half time, the players are more disappointed than anybody,” he said.
“They train hard, work hard and are a conscientious group of lads.
“The last thing they need then is to start shouting and raving at them, there is no point. They need help, guidance and support and that’s what we tried to do.
“I asked if any of them wanted to come off because of the difficulty of the game – I thought it would be best to give them another chance and try to win the second half.
“That was our aim – Gregory got a yellow card so I took him off to protect him for next week.
“I thought the lads did well in the second half, they showed a great attitude. They gave some moments for our supporters to enjoy but as I do and the players do more than anything, they want that from the off.
“We will get together Monday morning, have a chat and dust ourselves down.”
Martin’s video interview will be available on Gills Player on Monday morning, with the full game available later in the day.