Gills boss credits players following back to back away wins
Manager Justin Edinburgh described Gillingham's 3-1 Boxing Day victory at Swindon Town as a complete team performance.The Gills fell behind to Jonathan Obika's 18th-minute goal, but a quick-fire Bradley Dack equaliser and further goals from Jake Hessenthaler and Ryan Jackson earned the visitors a second victory at the County Ground in nine months.
“We got stronger as the game grew on and I'm delighted with the all-round team performance,” said Edinburgh. “People will always talk about individuals but these last two away performances [against Millwall and Swindon] have been all about the team.
“Everybody performed to a very high level today; Rory [Donnelly] and Dominic [Samuel] would cause any back four problems, and the midfield and back four were commanding.
“Credit to players for showing the maturity that's been asked of them when they fell behind. It could have affected them, but we responded very quickly and that set us up for rest of the game.
“Hess got the second, which allowed us to see out the second half, and after getting the third, I never saw Swindon getting back in the game.”
Nonetheless, the manager praised the three goalscorers for their contributions to the victory, adding: “We keep talking about Dacky, and understandably so, he's dispatched it well.
“I'm pleased for Jake as I think he's coming of age, his last three performances have been as good as anybody in the team. We spoke in the summer, and I thought goals needed to be added to his game, and that and his maturity are coming through now.
“And you know it's a good day when Ryan cuts inside and the ball nestles in the bottom corner. He's a fantastic player, getting better all the time, and you'd do well to find a better right back in the league right now.”