Kyle Dempsey calls on squad to bounce back at first time of asking following 3-1 loss at Sixfields.
Gillingham skipper Kyle Dempsey is determined to start 2021 afresh after admitting the performance in their Sky Bet League One 3-1 loss to Northampton on Tuesday was “not good enough.”
He spoke with the media following the defeat, saying: “As a group we are massively disappointed. We came away from Rochdale after such a good performance (an astounding 4-1 away win at Spotland Stadium) and then we go out and deliver that, it’s just not good enough from us.
“It wasn’t a lack of effort, we gave it our all. We were punished for three sloppy goals. If you concede three goals in a game then you are never going to win it.”
Dempsey’s precise free-kick made the game 2-1 and raised the Gills hopes before the break but eventually his strike proved scant consolation as they were ultimately unable to get back in the game, quickly conceding after the restart and falling to a 3-1 defeat.
Dempsey said: “It’s nice to get a goal but collectively as a whole, when you look at that tonight, it takes the shine off it.
“The third goal is an absolute killer. We get in at half time and we knew we have played poorly but to get that goal and go in there at 2-1, we thought we could go out and have a real good second half, get ourselves back in it and try and win the game. We conceded in the first minute of the second half and then it is a mountain to climb.”
The quick turnaround of games means Gillingham won’t have to wait too long to make things right, something Dempsey is eager to do. With a new year approaching comes a new opportunity, and Plymouth Argyle are next up for the Kent side on Saturday January 2nd.
Dempsey said: “We need to show some real character against Plymouth, we have a point to prove. We need to show a real determination to get three points. We need to bounce back and put Northampton behind us. We have to put all our focus into the new year and put things right against Plymouth.”