Peter Taylor delivers his post match verdict as Gills leave it late to snatch a point against Bradford
Peter Taylor said his players’ work rate deserved an equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Bradford City at the Coral Windows Stadium on Saturday afternoon.Antonio German came off the bench to score in the closing moments of the game, with Jermaine McGlashan also on hand to help divert the ball home, to clinch a point with Leon Legge having inadvertently conceded at the other end on 56 minutes.
Gillingham, following a fine first half display, got better as the second half progressed and Peter felt the visitors were worthy of a point.
He said: “I was very happy with the first half performance, not so good in the second half – we kept making mistakes, we certainly made mistakes leading up to their goal but I still felt as though we passed the ball quite well.
“In the first half I thought we were very safe on the ball and played in the right areas but we looked a bit anxious at the start of the second half.
“In the end we had to change the shape a little bit on the strength of being a goal down but I thought the boys kept going, worked extremely hard and for their effort deserved their equaliser.
“There are quite a few things we need to tidy up on but I’m pleased with the effort, the togetherness and some of the passing in the first half.
“There are always things we can improve on, I don’t think we have had a great deal of luck to be honest – I’m not saying we have been the best team in the division but a lot of things haven’t fallen for us but all of a sudden now that’s starting to happen a bit more and hopefully it carries on.”
Antonio German was the man who claimed the winning goal, and the Manager was pleased for the striker who has impressed during training.
He added: “I’m very pleased because to be fair to him he has trained well; he’s worked hard and hasn’t had many chances. In the end you’re a goal down so you may as well take a chance.
“It could have been Danny Kedwell earlier or Luke Norris but we went for Antonio and he’s got the goal.
“We see him every day in training and he’s got absolutely everything to be a very dangerous centre forward. Sometimes he doesn’t produce it, but when he does he’s a good player.
“He’s got to realise that he’s got to get in the team and start scoring goals.
“He’s a promising forward, he’s got a very good chance – he’s strong, good in the air and can finish. He needs to work extremely hard in every game.”