Good evening Ladies and Gentleman and a warm welcome back to krbs Priestfield for what I trust will be a somewhat warmer night than that of the original scheduled date for this fixture, which was of course postponed with a covering of nearly six inches of snow across the playing surface. I know that the journey down from the Wirral will not have been an easy one, and the prospect of arriving home well after midnight is not one that our visitors will relish, but I can assure you that every effort was made to keep the original fixture on. Indeed the referee's principle concern, when calling off the match, was the healthy and safety of our supporters because of the treacherous conditions of the roads in the surrounding area.
I think it's fair to say that our last two results at home to Walsall and away at Brentford on Saturday, have been hugely disappointing, but for very different reasons to the unacceptable capitulation at Accrington in January. Since our FA Cup exit at the Crown Ground, four new faces, Rene Howe, Darren Dennehy, Tristan Plummer and most recently James Walker have arrived to bolster our squad for the fight ahead. I believe that their introductions have coincided with a renewed spirit both on the pitch and in the stands, resulting in important and significantly improved performances against Colchester United and Hartlepool, to earn much needed points in our bid for survival.
That renewed confidence was clear for all to see in our last outing at Priestfield, in which we completely dominated Walsall and, but for a sprinkling of luck in front of goal, could easily have won the match by two or three clear goals. Naturally, it was very frustrating not to take the three points from a game that we comfortably controlled, but most importantly we collected another point, another clean sheet and extended our unbeaten run to three games. To that end, I find it a little unhelpful that a selection of our supporters chose to vent their frustrations by booing at the final whistle. Whilst I can totally understand your disappointment, I don't believe that the players' effort or commitment in that fixture could be faulted and it only serves to undermine the confidence that had begun to build amongst the squad.
The importance of confidence was abundantly clear for all to see at Griffin Park on Saturday. The Manager and his coaching staff, as I believe Mark made reference to in his post match press conference, prepared in a thoroughly professional manner, creating a presentation which combined action footage and graphics to illustrate to the players how best to marshal the home sides attacking threat and in turn exploit their defensive frailties. The effects of that new approach were obvious direct from the kick-off, as twice we got behind the Brentford defence and were desperately unlucky not to take an early lead.
Brentford were then able to take an undeserved lead after winning two penalties, both of which I am still at a loss to justify. If Alan Julian had indeed made contact with MacDonald for the first, then that would surely be a professional foul and thereby a red card, so why did the referee fail to even produce a yellow? As for the second penalty award, even many Bees fans at the game were unable to explain what offence had been committed to warrant a spot-kick. That left us two goals down away from home, without really putting a foot wrong.Hardly surprising then that players heads might drop, sometimes football can be a cruel game indeed.
The most important thing now is to remain united as we face another important test against fellow strugglers Tranmere Rovers.It would be naive to suggest that we do not have a battle on our hands, but now is the time to be strong and we will have to draw on all our strengths if we are to make this season a successful one. Last season, as players, as supporters and as a football club we showed that we have that mettle in abundance. It was that spirit, both in the dressing room and in the stands that took us to Wembley and won us the right to compete in League One again this season. Those players that left the field dejected at Brentford are the same players that thrashed Swindon 5-0 in August, gave Millwall a lesson in football in September and comfortably matched promotion candidates Norwich City and Charlton earlier in the campaign. We know we are good enough so please get behind the team tonight, your positive support can make a massive difference.
Up the Gills
Paul D. P. Scally
Chairman
