Gareth Ainsworth was disappointed with his side's second-half display in the 2-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.
Gillingham took a 1-0 lead in at half-time before the visitors scored immediately after the restart, following a set piece, leaving Ainsworth lamenting their struggles with defending them as of late. Bristol Rovers added a second through Ellis Harrison and managed to see the game out.
The Gills manager was frustrated at how his team failed to carry their first-half performance into the second, knowing that they have to be better.
With eight games left of the season, Ainsworth outlined what he expects from his players in the short term, with a free week to prepare for the Crawley game and how they should be preparing for the following games.
The 52-year-old showed his appreciation for the fantastic support his team has been shown all season.
Post-match thoughts...
It was like two totally different halves. We get applauded off at half-time because of the effort and the play, and then we don't defend a corner after the first minute of the second-half. We defended really badly, and it was another set piece. I am trying to work on these set pieces. We have people who work on them daily to say that we have conceded from too many set plays, and we do it again. All that I can say is that I have to make changes.
We have got to be better. In the first-half, we played some good stuff and picked the second balls up. We looked dangerous, and we had some free-flowing play. In the second-half, we looked so one-dimensional. We just lumped it to Sam [Vokes]. We didn't get it to Sam or Josh Andrews. They were getting wrestled by the big men. The boys had the license to play a little bit today, and we didn't.
What he needs from his players in the short term…
We have to find a way. You have to scrap. You have to be the best that you can possibly be, you have to be in the gym most days, you have to be eating right, sleeping right; you have to be living and dying for this shirt and badge on your chest.
Appreciation of the supporters...
I want next week to come. I want to go to Crawley and put on a performance for the away following, who have been phenomenal this year. They really have, the fans. I ran to celebrate with them at Barrow when we scored that 96th minute winner because I wanted them to know that I love it. I am a part of this. I feel it with them.
