Gills boss pleased with Frampton return
Martin Allen said he was delighted to see Andy Frampton return to action on Tuesday evening following concern over the defensive midfielder’s recent head injury.
The 33-year-old was substituted during the Gills win over Dagenham last month and suffered continuous headaches and dizziness shortly afterwards.
However following a scan he was given the all clear and was able to come off the bench to help the Gills earn a point against Exeter.
Martin said: “I thought he was superb when he came on. He really helped settle the team down, he brought fresh legs, he was calm and was really good for the team.
“To actually see the man back on the football pitch after what happened a couple of weeks ago – that was a worry for me.
“I always expect or ask the players to give everything for the club, shirt and supporters and when one of your players comes in with concussion and starts getting headaches, in the line of fire like he was, it was a concern until that scan got the all the clear.
“They put their bodies on the line and at this time of year it’s tough. We have to be strong and mentally prepared; we have to be ready to take on the challenges.”
On the performance itself Martin conceded it wasn’t the best display of the season but said the team did the job they set out to do.
He added: “There’s a lot of expectancy and tension and you only have to look around the country to see how tired players are looking with the high expectation of winning.
“Did we make a million chances? No we didn’t. Did we do the job that we came down here to do? The job was to keep a clean sheet first and foremost, we knew there would be chances and we had two good ones late on in the second half.
“I must say I think 0-0 is a good result for our club, especially against a club that is right behind us and three points then gives them momentum.
“That’s four points in the two games which is fantastic work for all the players and staff.
“Saturday’s performance took a lot out of our team and it was a big game for our club, and to come down here after the blizzard in Kent says a lot about our squad and the characters that we have got.
“We’re in at the ground Friday morning and then we’re going up to Morecambe at lunchtime ready for the next challenge, that’s how it works.
Martin also commented on the performance of Antonio German who started his second successive game, and the Manager believe he is offering something different to the other strikers at the club.
He said: “He does give us something different – he helps us there is no doubt about that. He helped us to score on Saturday and made the other one off the post to Whelpdale.
“He is only young and hasn’t played for three months. We pick up these players – Robinson, Legge and Gregory were the same. They hadn’t played when they joined us for quite a while.
“It takes time to get match fit and to move in to the area and they are doing a great job for Gillingham Football Club, that’s for sure.”
To read what Martin had to say on the fans efforts at Exeter click here.