Manager praises determination of Gills debutants in Luton defeat
Gillingham manager Justin Edinburgh spoke to the press following Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Luton Town in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Having trailed at half-time through goals from Frankie Musonda and Jonathan Smith, Darren Oldaker’s late strike on his full debut wasn’t enough to earn the Gills a point in the reformatted competition.
Edinburgh on…the performance: “I think it was mixed. I’m a bit disappointed with some of the senior players tonight, but in terms of the young players - some of whom made their full senior debuts - I was pleased with some of them.
“We’re not able to make too many changes. The players coming in were senior players, so I don’t think I would have learned too much from them. I’ve learned a lot from the young players coming in tonight, which was the most pleasing thing.”
Edinburgh on…the young players: “I thought Mitchell [Dickenson] got better as the game went on, I was happy with that. Bradley Stevenson made his senior debut, and showed great enthusiasm and a lot of energy. Darren Oldaker, on his full debut, may have been disappointed with his quality on the ball, but he showed moral courage to continue never shied away. It’s great for him to get his first goal.
"It’s difficult for Elliott List, a right winger, to play left-back, too. The young players didn’t do themselves any harm - I know they can play better, but they didn’t let themselves down in terms of their courage and energy. They acquitted themselves well, and it’s pleasing for the club to have so many young players on the pitch.”
Edinburgh on…players returning from injury: “Jamie O’Hara came back in, got 45 minutes and he looked class. I don’t remember him giving the ball away. Ryan Jackson trained yesterday, Scott Wagstaff is back training tomorrow. Things are progressing.”
Edinburgh on…last-minute signings: “Possibly. We’re hoping for one or two. We’re trying to bring a defender in, but we’ve got a lot of players coming back from injury. We’ve tried to get a striker, but at this time of year, it’s difficult to find somebody who going to improve us. I feel we’re well equipped to win football matches now.”
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