Steve Lovell speaks to the media following Gills 2-0 home defeat to Southend.
Gillingham Manager Steve Lovell was hugely disappointed to see his side slip to a 2-0 defeat against Southend United on Saturday after failing to capitalise on dominance in possession in the first-half.
After a goalless first half, Simon Cox scored twice in three minutes after the restart to put the game beyond the Gills who struggled to break down the visitor’s five man defence despite late pressure.
After a positive first-half with the Gills dominating possession, Lovell felt that they would go on to win the game but was left to rue two goals in three minutes that ultimately cost his side.
“In the first-half we had the majority of it and created chances with our set places but never finished them off," he said.
“They took [their chances] brilliantly and that was the difference. [Simon Cox] was a thorn in our side, again. We knew he would cause us problems and we didn’t get close enough to him.
“This league is all about taking your opportunities when they come, and I thought we gave them two goals today. We created a few little things at the end, we never dropped our heads, but it wasn’t our day.
“Two goals – and two minutes of madness – cost us the game. I’m just so disappointed.”
Youngster Bradley Stevenson impressed after coming off the bench just before the hour mark but Lovell felt too many players were off their game for the Gills to deserve anything from the match.
“He did very well, he was nice and positive. Bradley’s a good young lad and he’ll be looking to push forward.
“When they’re all doing it we can get results but today if you asked everybody in the stadium who had an off day there were probably two or three players who weren’t at their best. If that’s the case then you aren’t going to win games."
The injury curse struck again with Gaby Zakuani going off with an ankle injury and Dean Parrett receiving treatment after the final whistle, and Lovell admitted that is creating difficulties for his squad.
“We don’t know the full extent [of the injuries] yet but if Gabs goes off then obviously he’s not going to be ready for next week, and the same with Dean Parrett.
“The injury list is getting longer and longer which doesn’t help. Until everybody comes back off that injury bench then it is tough work, but that’s the nature of the game and the nature of the job.
“They had a little spark and our little spark will hopefully be back in the next couple of weeks.”