Gills Manager admits first half display at Leyton Orient was one of the most embarrassing of his managerial career
Peter Taylor conceded the first half performance wasn’t acceptable against Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon as the Gills were comprehensively beaten 5-1 at the Matchroom Stadium.Dave Mooney (2), Kevin Lisbie, Dean Cox and Chris Dagnall got the goals, four of which scored before the break.
The hosts were 2-0 up inside 10 minutes and Taylor’s side were unable to fight their way back in to the game, letting in a fifth before Craig Fagan netted a consolation late on.
Speaking after the game he said: “All I can say is that it’s probably the most embarrassing first 45 minutes of Football I’ve ever had as a Manager because in the end all you saw was the good play of Orient and the very poor play from us.
“You didn’t see any attacking play from us but you saw poor defending, poor decision making and we were just too far away from them – they relaxed and played.
“If you do that against a bad team you’re in trouble but if you do that against a good team then you’re certainly in trouble.
“It’s totally unacceptable; I take full responsibility, I pick the team and do the tactics but we just give very bad goals away and give ourselves a mountain to climb and when you play against a good team those mountains to climb are even harder.
“The first goal was too easy, we were not narrow enough as a group and there were too many holes to play against us.
“If you play against a team that can pass the ball around then you don’t need too many holes because they take advantage of it.
“To me we were ready for the game, we were up for it and we were determined not to let them have a good start and then they have one.
“I’m a professional Manager that is embarrassed and I don’t like losing but I’m realistic aswell.
"I understand the situation but I’m very determined to have a good week with the players to make sure we put in a performance against Tranmere.”