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Interviews

Gaffer at the Weekend

Steve Evans reacts to Gills 1-1 draw at Fratton Park.

28 February 2021

Interviews

Gaffer at the Weekend

Steve Evans reacts to Gills 1-1 draw at Fratton Park.

28 February 2021

The Gills manager answers a few questions following the 1-1 draw against Portsmouth.

Q: Although disappointed not to walk away with all three points yesterday, could you have asked much more of the squad against such top drawer opponents?

A1: The performance was excellent and full of character.

We competed and moved the ball around really efficiently resulting in us making many chances.

We had several players at the top of their game and that is the standard going forward.

 

Q: Portsmouth had a good spell in the first half and got themselves in front. Jack makes a couple of good saves and then Vadaine stayed alert to pounce on a defensive error?

A2: Both team had good chances in the first half and in fairness Jack Bonham produced two excellent saves.

Vadaine was outstanding yesterday, he bossed a very good Portsmouth central defensive pairing and his goal was a reward for sheer effort and instinct.

 

Q: We dominated in the second half and made as many as five very good opportunities. The best probably fell to Vadaine and John; as a manager are you more disappointed to see such chances not taken, or is it worse not to be making them?

A3: It is always disappointing when you miss chances, but in fairness all strikers do.

The lads got themselves into the right positions and it has to be noted some of our link up play was outstanding.... we go again!

 

Q: The goal aside, our back five looked very much in control and contained what is normally a very fluid Pompey attack?

A4: Pompey are full of good players and that comes from being at a big club.

Our boys at the back restricted them in the first half and in fairness they had full control in that second period.

Robbie Cundy and Jack Tucker are looking strong and improving as they spend more time learning each other’s games.

 

Q: Stuart O'Keefe returned in midfield. Is it always reassuring when you have someone as experienced as him in such a vital area of the field?

A5: We have missed Stuart, his experience, ability, drive, determination and focus are all attributes he has plenty of.

He grew into the match yesterday and after the first 25 minutes Kyle Dempsey and himself had total control.

 

Q: Alex MacDonald missed the game through illness. Will he be okay for Tuesday?

A6: As yet we are not sure. We will see if and how he trains tomorrow morning but I would say it is unlikely, however, he is tenacious and there lays his chance.

 

Q: It's MK Dons at home next. What sort of game are you expecting?

A7: MK are in superb form, their best run of results in over three years they say.

They spent big money this season, especially on the likes of Jerome, Fraser and Grigg so it’s going to be especially tough.

 

Q: We are entering an incredibly busy month now. Any chance that we might see Dom Samuel in the next four weeks?

A8: No, none at all.

All season we have been decimated with injuries to key players which has seen our top players missing for weeks and months at a time.

We already have the smallest squad in terms of bodies in the EFL but rather than focus on that let us focus on the lads who can, and will play!


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