Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler felt his side looked tired in the latter stages at Dagenham & Redbridge
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by Luke Cawdell
Andy Hessenthaler was disappointed to see standards slip at
Dagenham.
Despite bossing the opening periods the Gills
manager saw his team lose 2-1 after turning in a lacklustre second
half performance.
It was their failure to capitalise on those
early chances that proved costly at Gillingham.
Hessenthaler (pictured) said: “I was
disappointed to have lost, especially having gone 1-0 up.
“We had a real good 20 minute spell in the
first half where we scored, hit the post a couple of times and
their keeper has made a good save. We should have gone on from
there.
“In that spell we were well on top and with
every set piece we had we looked like we were going to get a goal.
But you have to take those opportunities and you also need to get
the rub of the green in those areas.”
The Gills conceded on 23 minutes and never
recovered.
“We then weren’t good enough in the end and we
gave them two silly goals,” Hessenthaler said.
“It was a disappointing night. They were first
to the ball for most of the game and we didn’t win enough second
balls.
“We know we didn’t show the same standard that
we have been showing in the last few weeks.”
Hessenthaler revealed that striker Jo Kuffour,
playing in the last game of his loan spell, was playing against
their doctor’s advice.
The Gills boss said: “He has been suffering
from bronchitis and the doctor said he needed to rest for 10 days.
I think he suffered from that so perhaps he shouldn’t have
played.”
Fellow striker Danny Kedwell was also having
more problems with an injured toe and left-back Joe Martin went off
with a calf injury.
One player who did, surprisingly, last 90
minutes was Chris Whelpdale, despite suffering a sickening injury
just four days previously.
“It was a slight risk and the doctor told us
that,” said Hessenthaler.
“He (the doctor) said perhaps he shouldn’t
play but Chris was keen to play and felt good.
“We were pleased he was playing but we looked
a bit tired in certain areas and perhaps didn’t show the standard
we did on Monday (against Crawley).”
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Friday, December 30 2011
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