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Interviews

Gaffer at the Weekend

Steve Evans provides his usual Sunday update.

15 December 2019

Interviews

Gaffer at the Weekend

Steve Evans provides his usual Sunday update.

15 December 2019

The Gaffer reflects on Saturday's game at Fleetwood.

Q: Having had chance to reflect on Saturday's game, are you satisfied with a point or more disappointed not to have taken all three at Fleetwood?


A1: I really do think we have to be disappointed to have only taken a point.

We gave away a poor goal but the reaction of the lads after that was outstanding. Our substitutes, Alex Jakubiak, Mark Marshall and Ben Pringle all made a difference as we laid siege to the home goal late on as we went in search of a winner.

A few of the lads performances were not where they should be, but in fairness they knew that without me having to tell them.

I thought Max Ehmer was excellent in what were terrible conditions to play football in.

Q: Having gone a goal down, we changed shape and sent a couple of bodies forward to get back in the tie. How pleasing was it to see one of your subs make the desired impact?

A2: As a Manager you make substitutions largely to effect the game in a very positive way and that has happened for us a number of times this season.

We changed shape three times during the match yesterday and when we did that it seemed to tactically help us get back into the game.

Q: A fantastic goal from Alex Jakubiak. The angle appeared against him but it was a special finish?

A3: AJ is very capable of doing what he did in scoring the equaliser.

He is a fine finisher but we are still working on other areas of his game that he needs to improve on if he wants the success in his career he craves. He is a great lad and everyone was so pleased for him yesterday.

Q: We nearly won it at the death too with Ben Pringle inches away from converting a loose ball in the box. As ever, the boys went until the very end?

A4: Again, it was great play by the lads as we passed our way though a tight defence.

Ben is unlucky as it takes a deflection on the way into the net but give credit to Fleetwood defender Peter Clarke who got a great defensive block.

Our late surge of pressure and territory advantage deserved a late winner, but it sadly was not to be.

Q: The result puts us six points shy of the play-offs which was the challenge you set to the players prior to Christmas. How important are the next four games in the context of our season?

A5: Every game is important and has to be taken one at a time.

We have spent a lot of time it seems on long journeys away from home, so now we face matches at Priestfield and that is something we should all embrace.

Our only focus today is hosting MK Dons next Saturday, of course it now has an earlier kick-off at 1pm. They had a brilliant result in beating Oxford United, for me still the best team I have seen in League 1 this season.

Q: Is Matty Willock likely to be in contention for MK Dons or does he need a bit longer to be fully up to speed?

A6: There is a chance that Matty could be involved but the medical team want him in at least two U23 matches before I put him in.

The lad is so eager to play so I must make sure I introduce him at the right time.

Q: Is it a normal week ahead preparation wise or does the schedule change slightly in light of the busy festive schedule?

A7: Yes it is very much a normal week, training and working hard.

We have also arranged a closed door match for Tuesday against Premier League opposition, it's so important that we keep the match minutes up for the whole squad.

Personally my work in the Gillingham community for the sick, elderly and homeless will continue but I take great pride in making a difference to those in need of I can.

As a family we have always sought to give rather than take and I take great pride in what my family do also in our local community at home.


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