Peter Taylor hints a new forward may be required if Danny Kedwell's operation goes ahead
Peter Taylor revealed in his post match press conference on Friday that he may dive in to the transfer market to sign another striker if Danny Kedwell’s planned hernia operation takes place.The number nine was due to undergo treatment on Thursday, but this was put back a week to give Peter more attacking options for the live televised fixture against Wolves.
After the game he said: “At the moment it will probably happen on Thursday unless he wakes up with no reaction at all. If that happens we might change our minds again but I wanted him to start because I couldn’t start Bayo.
“If he had got injured with no Danny next week that would have messed us right up. We put it off so he could be available for today’s game so it’s now down for the 9th.
“I have spoken to the Chairman about a couple of things and if it’s a case of Danny going in then maybe I’ll try and get a bigger centre forward.”
On the night it was Kedwell’s striking partner that grabbed the headlines as Cody McDonald’s late strike secured maximum points in a 1-0 win, and Peter is pleased to see the forward getting on the score sheet.
He added: “I was really pleased with Cody because he played very unselfishly for the team; he had to go wide right in the second half and I think he got rewarded with that goal.
“He didn’t mess about putting it away so we are pleased with that and pleased we got the first touch from the corner.”
Should Kedwell’s operation go ahead Gills fans may get the chance to see Jack Marriott in action who signed on loan from Ipswich Town on Friday morning.
Peter says having a number of strikers in the squad who can score goals the more benefit it will give the team.
He said: “I get on very well with Mick McCarthy at Ipswich and he really rates him highly and he wanted him to come and get experience in the league.
“We are delighted with that, he was sub and I was tempted to put him on but in the end with the way our shape was I didn’t think I could do that but I’m sure he will come here and do very well.
“I said to the Chairman if we can have people in the building that can get us a goal then that will help us.
“I’m looking to improve on most things to be fair but I felt we needed that type. Antonio German has now gone out on loan for a month so I needed another one like Cody.
“Looking at the players you know they are progressing so I don’t want to kick them on the back side because they are doing well. I just think we need to strengthen numbers, its not all of a sudden saying our players are not good enough.”
Finally Peter commented on Steven Gregory’s recent displays, and was delighted to see given `Man of the Match` after another fine performance in the holding midfield position.
He said: “I agree 100% [with the choice], and he actually wasn’t very well. He was sick at half time but we asked him to carry on and I thought he was outstanding.
“When I came to see a couple of games, before I came here, I thought he had everything and I told him that the first day I spoke to him. I think that he’s got everything you need to be a good holding midfield player.
“He was probably a bit nervous at home before and wasn’t making the right decisions and making himself look as good as he should do. He can break things up, win the ball, pass well so I’m really pleased that he’s showing what he can do.”
You can see Peter's post match interview in full by clicking here.
An exclusive interview with Steven Gregory can be seen here.