Lovell delighted with display as Gills down Fleetwood.
Gillingham Manager Steve Lovell was delighted that his side managed to secure back-to-back victories with a brilliant 3-0 victory against Fleetwood Town at the Medway Priestfield Stadium on Saturday, picking out Tom Eaves and Darren Oldaker for special praise.
Brandon Hanlan scored the opener for the Gills, capitalising on a poor back pass before Tom Eaves’ brace secured the victory for the hosts. The first followed a superb pass from DJ Oldaker and the second saw the big striker nod home from a brilliant Connor Ogilvie cross taking him to the top of the league’s scoring charts.
Lovell was delighted to see the Gills put in a confident performance to back up last week’s important win with another three points, and was especially happy with the solidity of the back-line.
“The main thing was backing up last week’s win. Three goals and none against so it is very pleasing. Two games, seven goals and two clean sheets – it doesn’t get better than that.
“The boys started brightly, straight in their faces, and got two really good goals. The third goal killed it off as they were always going to come out and have a go and for ten minutes we had to defend very well.
“It was an excellent performance and I’m just pleased with our work rate all through the game. Elliott [List] when he came on must be a centre-half’s nightmare – he’s so quick and direct.
“It’s not just the back four, it’s the boys in front of them – everyone has to work as a defensive unit to stop the ball being brought up in the play so they don’t have as many chances. I don’t think Tomas Holy had to make a save that was worthwhile."
Tom Eaves raced to the top of the league scoring charts after his second consecutive brace and Lovell was delighted that the hard work is paying off for the talismanic striker.
“Apart from his goal scoring he brings so much to our team. His hold up play, his battling qualities – he’s a great person to have in your team and the boys love him to death because of everything he does.
“We worked very hard with Tom on his finishing and his goal understanding and where he should be. We’ve always got on to him that when the ball is out wide he should be in the box.
“I’ve been his worst critic because I have to for his own good. He came on against Shrewsbury and scored to draw the game and since then he hasn’t stopped scoring.
“He’s an intelligent young man who loves the game of football and loves this football club. We understand each other and that’s a big thing.”
Darren Oldaker was handed another start and repaid the faith Lovell put in him with another assured performance as well as an outstanding assist for Tom Eaves’ opening goal.
“DJ’s pass was spot on – straight to Tom’s chest. The two goals he has made for Tom in the past two weeks have been fantastic. He’s a naturally gifted footballer with a football brain. He is very intelligent on the ball – he’s twenty but you would think he has been playing for ten years.
“I said before the game to Patto that this was a test for him – he’s had one great game, but could he back it up with another. It was so important for him today, for himself and it was a better performance, a more mature performance.
“He knows how good a player he is – he knew what he had to do to work on that graft.”