Lincoln win pleasing, but plenty more to be done says the Gills manager.
Neil Harris said he was delighted for everyone connected with the Football Club following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Lincoln at the LNER Stadium, but says there are also areas to improve on.
Vadaine Oliver opened the scoring with an excellent header 15 minutes from time with Ben Thompson opening his account in stoppage time with a superb long range drilled effort right in front of the travelling Gills faithful.
Speaking after the game, here’s what the manager had to say:
On the performance….
“In the first half we controlled the game; they had the Football but we controlled the areas that they got into with it. When we did regain, we countered and looked a real threat and ultimately we should have been 2-0 up at half-time with Thommo’s one off the line and the great save from Robbie Mac that goes onto the post.
“In the second half you always fear they are going to be better; I thought they got into some good areas, had a period where I thought they were good with the ball but we stood strong and then just two moments of real quality.
“The counter attack and the build-up, and the timing of Vadaine’s movement was first class [for the first goal], and the second was exceptional from a very good player.
“It was a really professional performance, a strong performance and we have to make sure, again, that’s our continued level of performance and standards moving into the coming games.
“That’s not a complete performance, there is still a long way to go for us and areas to improve but you can see a team that is enjoying being out there, and playing with confidence.”
On the shape and discipline….
“Lincoln had a lot of the Football and we know they are a really good, well drilled and well coached Football team and we knew we would have to be disciplined, the shape would have to be really good and we would have to really take care of the ball on the counter attack, and that was for 90 minutes.
“I’m ecstatic for the players, the Football Club and for the fans that travelled. A well-deserved three points. Lincoln were good, the possession stats will be higher for them, they dominated the ball from box to box but we forced them into areas where we wanted them to go and I picked a team today, and a shape, that dictated where we wanted the ball to go around us and I thought the four midfield players that played in a diamond formation in the middle of the park were absolutely excellent, and the goals justify the fact that we deserved the points."
On the progress being made…
“After 30 minutes I thought is it ever going to go in the net for us, and today even better chances. The keeper’s save from Robbie Mac’s volley was excellent but the fact we got into those positions again was really pleasing and the fact we looked more structured and organized from set plays, the first contacts and second balls into the box were really high. We have to be a threat aswell and that’s two games in a row where we’ve deserved to win and deserved to score at least two goals, if not three or four, and those small steps that we keep talking about are vital for us moving forwards.
"That gives confidence to the players, everybody connected to the club."
On the fans…
“It goes without saying their loyalty to the club, the support of the players and to me since I’ve been here and that’s reward to them today, seeing a performance but getting that result aswell at a tough place to come, that’s special for them.”