Gaffer at the Weekend

The Gills boss answers a few questions following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Burton Albion.

Q: I know you were very disappointed not to have won Saturday but the performance must have given you several reasons to be positive?
 
A: The performance was excellent in the main, particularly in the first half where we dominated throughout.
 
This young team is getting fitter, more players back from long injuries, and it is one very talented group.
 
There is plenty of hard work to be done on the training ground, it’s those fine margins that are costing us at present.
 
 
Q: As you said, we dominated for long periods in the first half and I guess the only frustrating element at half-time was that we hadn't added a second goal?
 
A: Yes it was frustrating. The lads deserved more than one more additional goal to be fair. We got ourselves in great positions to score multiple times, but on another day those close misses will go in.
 
 
Q: The one we did score was an excellent finish from Vadaine with Charlie Kelman also involved?
 
A: It was a brilliant finish from the big man, he really is in great form.
 
Young Charlie is getting up to speed with how we want him to play and develop.
 
He is a talented boy and I really do think we will improve him as a young footballer.
 
 
Q: From an attacking perspective we created numerous opportunities with Mustapha Carayol proving tricky to handle?
 
A: It is no surprise to me how talented and good Muzzy is, I took him to Leeds United after all.
 
The lad will get better, there is much more to come from him and we will work hard with him for that to happen.
 
 
Q: Conceding so soon after the break must have been tough to take?
 
A: It was tough to take and from a simple long throw. Getting first contact on the ball in those circumstances is essential, we never got the first or the second and we paid a price. We will learn from it for sure!
 
 
Q: Jamie Cumming was excellent in goal and made a number of crucial saves and blocks; he appears to have settled well?
 
A: Jamie was excellent and produced a brilliant late save to keep us with a point, but had we lost it would have been daylight robbery, we were by far the superior side.
 
 
Q: No midweek game, a good chance to get more time on the training pitch and raise the fitness levels?
 
A: Work on the training ground with the players is essential, especially young players.
 
It will also be nice to train with 18 players as opposed to less that 12 senior players most days.
 
Finally a word about the supporters who travelled yesterday, your support was outstanding and I applaud you.
 
We must stick together, this is a tough League 1 and is proving to be ruthless. Let me say if there is division in any of us it’s a disaster. This is a proud football club with exceptional supporters, only together can we go forward and win!