Post-match thoughts from the Gaffer.
Gills boss Neil Harris was delighted with his side's performance as they came away with a vital three points in the 2-0 win against Hartlepool United at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.
Tom Nichols and Dom Jefferies both got on the score sheet as Gillingham won their first league game since October, as they closed the gap to safety. Despite the huge win, Harris knows that there is still plenty to do.
Thoughts on the performance…
Once we got in front and the centre forward gets on the score sheet, it gives belief and confidence to the rest of the group. I thought it was a very good performance. A strong performance. I know that they had a goal disallowed, and they hit the post, but I thought we could’ve had six today.
I believe we could have scored more goals we should’ve scored more goals. There’s no doubt we deserved the points. We were the better team.
The Debuts…
I thought as a pair they looked like a pair that had played together for years [On Tom Nichols and Oli Hawkins]. The chemistry and everything came off for them as a pair and the cleverness of their play. Neither of them are mobile, but the timing of their movement and their cleverness is different class. That gave us the base.
Timothee Dieng had a great performance and a great debut. Glenn Morris’ full debut as a permanent signing was excellent. He deserved a clean sheet.
On Dom Jefferies…
I can’t let a mention for Dom Jefferies go without being said because not only the goal but his all-around performance was as good as I’ve seen this season.
He’s a forward-running midfield player with legs and energy who handles the ball and is a feisty character as well when it comes to wanting to win. He’s been one that has shown real disappointment when we’ve not had that ability to win, and I like that. I like that character and personality.
Dom did well today and scored a great goal. He was arguably the best player on the pitch, but there’s so much more to come.
The signing of George Lapslie…
It’s another great addition. It’s somebody else who has got extensive qualities at this level and know-how of the division. He’s been one of the standout performers in the division this season! He’s a forward runner, has got energy and is a good lad.
He wants to come and be part of us, wants to play for me, wants to play for a club moving in the right direction.
Potential transfer business…
We’re going to add to the group. I still need to add to the group, and I still need more strength in depth and quality. We’ve seen personnel go out of the building and personnel not in the squad today through injury or not being available for various reasons.
The players that I picked today were the players available to me for different reasons, so we need to add more quality and strength to the group.