Home   Medway   Sport   Article

Caretaker manager Steve Lovell on Gillingham's 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic

Steve Lovell was thrilled with the point on Tuesday but knew it could have been more.

There was a sense of disappointment from the caretaker manager after the Gills let league leaders Wigan off the hook.

Lovell said: “When we started off I thought, ‘flipping heck, what’s going to happen’, because they started very brightly.

“I started with a formation which I through could cause them problems when we had the ball, but in the first 10 minutes I don’t think we had the ball. We had to change it quickly, to a 4-4-2.

“It worked fortunately and the boys grew into the game. In the end we created quite a few chances and I am just disappointed we only scored one goal.”

Steve Lovell congratulates his players as the Rainham End sing his name Picture: Andy Payton
Steve Lovell congratulates his players as the Rainham End sing his name Picture: Andy Payton

Report: Gillingham 1 Wigan Athletic 1


Tom Eaves put the Gills ahead after 55 minutes but Wigan captain Sam Morsy levelled things up eight minutes from time.

The Gills boss said: “I thought in the first half Tom, who had been out for a while, was a little rusty, but as the game went on he got better and better and he deserved his goal.

“He is a great lad and he works hard and I am pleased that he got his goal.

“But I am disappointed that we definitely missed two other chances at 1-0. We would have put the game beyond Wigan but credit to them, they scored a good goal.

Fans in the Rainham End celebrating another Tom Eaves goal Picture: Andy Payton
Fans in the Rainham End celebrating another Tom Eaves goal Picture: Andy Payton

“They have some good players but we matched them and at times there was some really good football.”

Lovell’s name was sung throughout the game, and the coach was glad he was able to give those fans something to cheer.

He said: “Supporters of any football club want something to cheer about.

“On Saturday they were brilliant and they were again on Tuesday. All they want to be is entertained and to see people who want to roll their sleeves up and want to work.

Fans celebrate a Gills goal from Tom Eaves Picture: Andy Payton
Fans celebrate a Gills goal from Tom Eaves Picture: Andy Payton

“If you have the work and that little but of quality that we showed, then you will get something out of it. I told them that, I told them that if they showed the same commitment that they showed o Saturday, with a little more quality on the ball, then we will get something out of it. That is what happened.

“It was a good point. To be fair, all the players before the game would say they would take a point against Wigan, but on the whole, second half, I am disappointed we haven’t won it.”

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More