Gillingham midfielder Mark Bentley writes exclusively for the KM Group
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Saturday sees the first of three away games for us and the
Morecambe fixture is one that stands out for me after our last
visit there.
We’re going there looking for our first win and I remember two
seasons ago we ground out a real hard working 1-0 away win which
really kick started our season.
It’s a long way to go and lose, so that will not be on our
minds. It will be a tough game against a side who will be big and
strong so we need to match them in that respect. Hopefully our
quality with the ball will create chances for us to win the
game.
Last weekend against Lincoln was disappointing for everybody,
none more so than the players, who certainly had the belief that we
would win.
We knew Lincoln would come and sit men behind the ball to try to
frustrate us and they did their job well. After watching the video
of the game, it was clear that we had loads of possession but not
enough penetration and tempo in moving the ball, which we had
worked so much on in the lead up to the game.
After they got their early goal it made it even more difficult
and the shock of going a goal down led to us making the wrong
decisions and giving the ball away cheaply. We lost our shape in a
system that has worked well in previous games.
The frustration was clear to see and hear on and off the pitch,
which led to tension in the players. We did change the shape of the
team but Lincoln were happy to sit in a defensive formation. We
tried to draw their players out of position but found ourselves
forcing balls that probably were not on to play. The second half
saw us improve slightly and with a bit more luck one of the few
chances we had could have gone in.
The Lincoln game is something everybody has got to get used to
this year.
If any team coming to Priestfield go away with any points they
will feel they have done well.
That is an added pressure the players are under as we are
expected to win the majority of our home games.
I know that our fans expect us to win matches and put on good
performances and when we do there is no better atmosphere.
On the flip side, they have every right in voicing their
frustrations on the players when things are not going well.
We all know Saturday was not a great performance but it’s early
days and our first win is not far away.
As players we will take the positives out of the games so far
and put all our efforts into producing a good performance.
More from Mark Bentley in Friday's Medway Messenger
newspaper.
Post any questions or comments to Mark by adding a
comment below or emailing medwaysport@thekmgroup.co.uk
Don't miss our live text coverage of Morecambe v
Gillingham this Saturday on www.kentonline.co.uk/sport
Thursday, August 26 2010
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