MARTIN: "WE NEED TO BE PATIENT"

Managers react to Tuesday night's Capital One Cup encounter

Martin Allen says he could not have asked any more from his players in their first two games of the season.


The Gills were beaten by Colchester on Saturday before Tuesday night’s first round exit in the Capital One Cup against Bristol City, but says the players must be patient as they adjust to life in a new division.


He said: “I thought there were some tremendous performances and I thought some of our players played really well and there will be times where clubs with the resources and the players these teams have, they will be able to keep the ball and move it around the pitch.


“You have to be patient and you have to wait. They pay a lot of money for their players and you have to accept that when you go up a division.


“Overall I thought we stuck to our jobs well, restricted them to very few chances, but we just weren’t able to finish them off.


“We got in to good positions; there was some good interchanging of positions and crossing. Bayo had four opportunities where he got in to good positions and was a bit unlucky but at least he was in there and the ball was going in.


“It was similar to Saturday’s game and the one against Crystal Palace so there is a bit of a pattern but in time things will level out.


“We’ll keep working to get our breaks and keep pushing ourselves forward because that’s when we are at our best.


“I don’t like losing but last night, and on Saturday, the players gave everything they have got. I just keep going, and as long as they give everything I cannot ask any more, and they are.


“There are goals in the team and know it will turn in their favour, and once that click comes in the place will rock, the players will rock and we’ll get back on the road.”


City boss Sean O’Driscoll was understandably delighted to have avenged the 2-1 defeat the Robins suffered in the same stage of the competition last season.


He added: “It was a good performance; we played with fluidity which is what I’m trying to get at and we want people to feel comfortable on the ball and that’s what I said when I first came to the club.


“Everybody has played a part in the last two games and the difficult task now is picking the right team for Coventry and those are the problems we want.


“I’ve got choices and I’ve got people that can do a job in the team which is what I wanted.


"It's a good step forward for us, Sam Baldock has scored goals in this division before and that's what he wants to do this season."


To watch Martin's post match press conference click here.