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Interviews

Gaffer | "It was a hard earned victory"

Gills boss proud of his men following win over promotion chasing Peterborough.

20 April 2021

Interviews

Gaffer | "It was a hard earned victory"

Gills boss proud of his men following win over promotion chasing Peterborough.

20 April 2021

Steve Evans reacts following Gills 1-0 win at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Gillingham manager Steve Evans described his team's performance as "terrific" following Tuesday's 1-0 win over Peterborough at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Connor Ogilvie's precise first-half strike proved the difference between the two sides, with the Gills showing impressive levels of tactical discipline, resolute defending and work rate to secure all three points against a side looking to secure Championship football next season.

Match Reports

REPORT | PETERBOROUGH 0-1 GILLINGHAM

20 April 2021

Speaking after the game Evans, a former Posh manager himself, said: "They were terrific. We were terrific at Oxford, all bar two or three individual errors. The boys were, as you can imagine, as flat as I've ever seen any Football team. 

"We picked them up and told them very honestly on Monday morning that it was one of the best, if not the best, performance of the season and to believe that other teams could beat other teams. 

"We told the players we would have to be at our very best and have a little bit of luck along the way, and that summed it up. We were very good in what we set out to do. Good tactically, good discipline, good shape. 

"It was a hard-earned victory."

Gills suffered defeat to Oxford at the weekend despite being 2-0 up at one stage, and the manager conceded the whole group were immensely disappointed, but the management refocused the minds of the players during training on Monday.

He added: "I've never seen a group as disappointed in the dressing room, followed up with the way they reported back on the training ground. They were really down and I think they were surprised with the reaction of myself and Paul [Raynor] when we spoke about how proud we were of the performance.

"We said people make individual errors up to the Premier League, so forget them and let's focus on a particular team and a particular shape and, for large parts, we carried it out brilliantly and took advantage of a little bit of luck, at times.

"We had our shape right, we defended properly. The back five were tremendous. They missed a couple of half chances but had we lost I think it would have been harsh.

"You have to fight for the supporters. People around Gillingham have picked me up; they have stopped me and said to keep fighting. The players did that."

Connor Ogilvie was on the scoresheet once again, his fifth goal of the season, and the manager was pleased for his left-back.

He added: "I thought Connor's finish was brilliant. I thought he was very good tonight. Everyone loves Connor, he is a fantastic professional. First in, last away. We are delighted for him; he is such a good player, a top player for our level.

"I thought my two centre-backs were outstanding and my midfield competed with two of the best in the league; it was a real tough test and their home form is incredible."

 

 


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