Nutter's Natter with Gillingham defender John Nutter
Alan Julian dives to save a
Huddersfield free-kick
E-mail your comments and
questions to John Nutter at jnutter@thekmgroup.co.uk
I was delighted to see Alan Julian
play well for us at Huddersfield on Saturday.
AJ took his place after Roycy was
unfortunately involved in a car accident (which we all hope he
recovers from quickly). He was exceptional – just as all the boys
expected him to be.
AJ pulled off some outstanding saves,
particularly from a point blank header in the first half and I
think he can go a long way in the game.
We see every day in training not only
how good a goalkeeper he is but also how hard he works at his
game.
His attitude has been incredible ever
since I met him four years ago but even more so since his chances
have been limited at Gillingham. In fact, he has just worked
harder.
We expected last weekend’s match to be
a test and so it proved as we came up against a strong Huddersfield
side.
We took an early lead through Jacko
after a great ball from Kev Maher. He raced away and, just as I was
berating him for not having a touch and taking on the goalie, the
ball flew over their keeper and nestled in the goal.
It was a great finish for Jacko’s
first goal away from home this season. We’ve been giving him a bit
of stick about it and it was nice to see him shut us up. We seemed
to be frustrating Huddersfield and were forcing them to play long
balls.
They were having long-range efforts
throughout the first half and we looked like we would go in at
half-time a goal up. Unfortunately, Huddersfield had other
ideas.
They managed to get their way back
into the game through a goal which I felt was at least a yard
offside (I had a good view unfortunately as I was substitute and
warming up at the time!).
It was a blow to concede when we did
but a bigger blow when they managed to nick in front from a
set-piece. That’s something we are frustrated about and in the end
it cost us a good point away from home.
We couldn’t find a way back in the
second half but we go into the next away fixture feeling as though
the first away win is fast approaching.
Huddersfield was another over-nighter
so I gave Stewy another shot as my roomy and he did well again. He
is a bubbly lad and we always have a giggle, although I don’t enjoy
having to tuck him in and check the wardrobe for the bogey man
before he can get to sleep!
We face Stockport in a vital game this
weekend and we need to make sure they stay below us. It’s going to
be tight this season and only a few points will separate the top
half from the relegation places. It makes every point important and
we’ll approach Saturday as we have done every home game, hoping to
get the three points.
Thursday, December 17 2009