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Gillingham head coach Ady Pennock knows time is ticking after another defeat

Gillingham boss Ady Pennock admits he’s unsure how long he’s got left in the job.

Chairman Paul Scally watched on at Oxford as the Gills dropped to second bottom in League 1 following Saturday's 3-0 defeat.

Pennock’s men have yet to win in the league this season and the fans turned on him at the final whistle, calling for him to go.

Ady Pennock on the touchline for Gills at Oxford Picture: Ady Kerry
Ady Pennock on the touchline for Gills at Oxford Picture: Ady Kerry

Supporters have grown frustrated at Gills’ poor start to the season, following on from a woeful previous campaign, where relegation was only just avoided.

Speaking after their latest setback, Pennock said: “I really don’t know (how long I’ve got). I would love to turn it around and we will have to see.


Report: Oxford United 3 Gillingham 0

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“I am unbelievably desperate to get it right, I have so much passion and love for the club. It is not through the lack of trying. I am desperate to turn it around.

“I understand the fans’ frustration. They can say and chant stuff but I have to take that on the chin. It is so frustrating (for them) but it is also frustrating for me. I do understand.

Head coach Ady Pennock instructing his team Picture: Ady Kerry
Head coach Ady Pennock instructing his team Picture: Ady Kerry

“We are working so hard, unbelievably hard, we are desperate to change it around.”

Pennock has been in charge for 27 league games, winning four of them. Six games into the new campaign and the Gills have picked up just two points.

He said: “I am not silly and if it carries on I know what is going to happen, but I am fighting and working so hard to get it right, let’s hope it starts on Tuesday (at AFC Wimbledon).

“You need a little bit of luck as well, but I am not going anywhere unless I get told otherwise. It is tough, but I do think we can turn it around, it has to and if it doesn’t I know what the score is. I am not hiding from that fact.”

Gills chairman Paul Scally watching on at Oxford Picture: Ady Kerry
Gills chairman Paul Scally watching on at Oxford Picture: Ady Kerry

The Gills conceded three goals in an eight-minute spell on Saturday at Oxford, leaving them with no hope of getting anything from the match.

It led to a heated team meeting after the game.

Pennock said: “It was the first time in the season I have been disappointed with the players, every other game we’ve been involved in and have had good clear-cut chances.

"This time we did okay first half, second half wasn’t good enough.

"Something has to happen soon, it has to turn around very quickly, otherwise we will be fighting a relegation battle all season. That is the truth."

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