Peter wants positive attitude replicated in to victories
Peter Taylor says he hopes this week’s positive attitude and enthusiasm in training will result in a good performance against Peterborough on Saturday.The Gills Manager felt his team didn’t get their rewards in the 3-1 defeat to Notts County last weekend, but is adamant a repeat display will give them a chance of victory at Priestfield.
Speaking to the club’s official website he said: “I don’t think we had a great deal of luck but we respect the reality of the situation we are in and you can’t put everything down to that.
“We should have scored more goals in the first half, we should have scored three goals and if we had done that I’m not so sure Notts County would have gone on to win the match because they would have been a little bit down and under more pressure.
“As it was they scored a goal that they didn’t particularly deserve just before half time.
“We are just making wrong decisions and giving bad goals away and those are the areas we’ve got to improve on.
“If we play like that against Peterborough on Saturday there’s a chance we could win the match.”
Peter, although disappointed to lose at Meadow Lane, was pleased with the reaction of the players following the 4-1 loss at Rotherham, and was able to take a number of positives from the match.
He added: “I’m a really, really bad loser to be fair so I don’t like any defeat, but when it’s a defeat like Notts County you look to take the positives and I think its important that you do that because on another day we could have won the match.
“If you think the players have improved and taken things on board from the previous game then you can be happy with that.
“Players do get on with it and they get over results very quickly. Players get over things much quicker than management do but they have trained very well and have shown a good attitude.
“I know I have said that before and other coaches around the country are saying the same but I just hope we can take the enthusiasm side of it on to the pitch and give Peterborough a right game.”
Jake Hessenthaler is yet to make a first team appearance at MEMS Priestfield Stadium, but Peter said there is a chance he could make his second successive start.
He said: “He has a chance of course. We know we are not going to be the best football team in the world but we need to play a bit more Football and that’s the reason I put Jake in.
“I have never been frightened to put young players in because if they show the quality and some determination then I think you should let them loose and if there’s an option to do that then do it.
“We had a couple of injuries which allowed me to say here is the time and I thought Jake did very well – it wasn’t the easiest of pitches or situations but I thought he handled it ever so well.
“Bradley Dack has done the same, he got another start and I think he’s using his good ability, he causes teams problems and he looks as though he can score goals.”
The supporters are likely to see Jack Payne play at Priestfield for the first time against the Gills, and Peter said the midfielder will deserve a good reception.
He said: “He is a very, very good footballer and he will get a good reception by the supporters, quite rightly so. Hopefully we keep him quiet and I’m sure he will be determined to play.
“He hasn’t played the last couple of games through illness but he was sub for the game against Newport. I am expecting him to play but we need to make sure he doesn’t play well.”
Finally the Manager hinted he has got a couple of injury concerns ahead of the game, but wouldn’t reveal individual names.
He added: “I can’t give you names but we’ve had a few little problems with illnesses and strains in certain muscles so at the minute there could be a couple of changes which is a little bit frustrating.
“At three o’clock we will let them loose and they go and show how much it means to them.
“Craig Fagan I think will be available for Tranmere but this game has come too soon.
“Steven Gregory has got a slight chance but whether he can do 90 minutes we’re not sure.”
Watch Peter’s interview in full on Player.