Gillingham manager Martin Allen had to make changes to his side's shape to get a result at Rochdale
by Luke Cawdell
Gillingham boss Martin Allen was
pleased with his side’s response after a second half reshuffle in
the 1-1 draw at Rochdale.
Allen’s side went into the break a
goal behind for the second game running, but, as on Saturday, they
found an equaliser and could have won.
"I thought we played very well in the
second half," Allen, pictured, said.
"We changed our formation, changed our
shape (to play three at the back) for the first time this
season.
"We had quite a few good opportunities
in the second half but the team we were playing against played with
freedom and were doing things like playing with three up on the
halfway line and that’s the sort of stuff you can do when you are
in the middle of the table.
"It meant there were different things
we had to think about and think what to do. We changed it at
half-time and the players were fantastic in the second half. I
thought we were unlucky not to win it.
"We have gone a point clearer of a
number of other clubs and it’s another point towards our total so
it was good."
There were several late challenges in
the game that led to injuries to several Gillingham players and
provoked a late skirmish that saw Andy Frampton sent off.
But Allen, who had made his
dissatisfaction shown on the touchline, wasn’t willing to openly
criticise the opposition in the media.
"I’m not going to comment on that," he
said. "I never ever do and I’m not going to comment."
The Gills had to fight back from going
a goal down after a rare mistake from Leon Legge. He lost he ball
and Rochdale’s George Donnelly took full advantage with a
12th-minute opener.
"It was an error," said Allen. "It was
the first shot on our goal I think. It came off an error but these
things happen over a season.
"I am not apportioning any blame on
him, these things happen. Players make mistakes, we all make errors
and there are days when it doesn’t go so well and these things
happen."
Tuesday’s point was the third in a row
on the road, after games at Exeter and Morecambe.
Allen said: "What a fantastic
achievement and a fantastic effort by the players, the commitment
of the squad and the unity of the squad and the staff."
19/03/13
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