Lovell honest in post-match news conference as Blackpool seal 3-0 win at Priestfield.
Gillingham Manager Steve Lovell said he felt let down by his players as Blackpool ran riot at Priestfield putting three goals in and limiting the Gills to very few opportunities.
Vassell and Delfouneso scored in a four-minute period in the first half that put the game beyond the hosts and a miserable afternoon was compounded by a third goal on the counter attack from Mellor late on in the game.
Lovell was critical of the team for the first time this season as he pinpointed a lack of courage as the reasoning behind the heavy defeat.
“The first half was non-existent as far as I am concerned. I have stood up for them all through the season – quite rightly as they’ve given everything – but today there was nothing. I’m a positive person but there’s nothing I can take as a positive from the first half.
“The second half we had a go but it was too late. We didn’t look like we had a goal in us – it was very, very poor.
“I had a go at them at half time saying about character. It’s having the courage to do things when you’re under the cosh and that is a massive thing in this league. They have got to stand up and be counted.
“It wasn’t very nice to watch today and the supporters are quite right in their comments – I’m with them. I’m a supporter and I’d be disgusted watching that.”
Defeat kept the Gills in the relegation battle and Lovell will be demanding a response from his side next Saturday against Bristol Rovers when he gets them in for training on Monday.
“I still think that we are two points from being certain of being in this league next year. We will see the character of the boys this week and hopefully go down to Bristol and put things right.
“They owe the club a performance; they owe me a performance because I feel really let down by them. Especially in the circumstances where three points would have made us safe.
“It’s got to be addressed – we’ve got two games to go. I’m sure there will be a response from today’s game in next week’s performance as we’ve got to do better.”
Tom Hadler made his competitive debut for the Gills replacing Tomas Holy between the sticks and Lovell was full of praise for the young stopper.
“He did alright, Tom. Obviously the first goal bounced off him but he got behind it and you’ve got to give the goalkeeper a bit of protection as they reacted quickest.
“His kicking was good, his distribution was good and he looked confident. He’s a very good goalkeeper and he’s got a great future ahead of him.
“He was one of the boys to come out with a bit of credit and make decisions when he had to. For a young boy to make his first-team debut in the League it was pleasing to see.”