IAN HENDON: WE HAD THE BETTER CHANCES TO WIN
Wednesday 1 September
The disappointing defeat at Southend plus yet another away loss means that Gills are still awaiting a win in any competition this year and the lack of goals is becoming a worrying aspect. It extended Gills winless streak at the start of this season’s campaign to six games.
Gills assistant manager Ian Hendon (pictured left) was still showing confidence in his side and was upbeat as he spoke to the media following Gills exit via a penalty shoot-out in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie at Roots Hall.
Ian told kentOnline, “Obviously it’s disappointing that we’ve lost on penalties but there were positives to take from it. We have come out of the game after 90 minutes probably with the better chances”.
Southend United 0 v Gills 0 (Southend 4, Gills 3 pens)
Ian continued, “I think they went close once with a header from Barry Corr, which Lance pushed over quite comfortably, and late on in the second half he made a save down to his left. That was about it and away from home he’s had two things to do”.
Analysing the team’s performance Ian said, “We have gone out of a competition but the performance and work-rate was there and if the players keep putting in a shift like they are doing at the moment results are going to come”.
“Any win is good for morale. We’ve just got to keep the lads’ heads up, they are obviously disappointed we’ve gone out of a competition”.
Striker Cody McDonald and the influential Andy Barcham (right)worryingly picked up injuries during the game within minutes of each other and in Andy’s case it was only five minutes from his appearance as substitute.
Cody McDonald, who still looks some games from full match fitness, but was beginning to show some nice touches, was substituted and he hobbled off with an ankle injury. News from the Club is that it is not considered serious.
Although it possibly would have been more prudent to substitute Andy Barcham because of his obvious injury this did not happen. Andy played on for the remainder of the game, some 30 minutes, obviously in some discomfort.
He was helped and supported down the tunnel at the end of the game and there is no further news from the Club on his condition.
Southend United manager Paul Sturrock (left) couldn't watch the penalty shoot-out saying to the Club’s official site, "I'm not a great believer in penalties, I was more disappointed with the performance so had a wee think about things in the changing room. I heard the roars so I guessed what the story was."
But he was pleased enough with the result though disappointed with the overall performance by his team saying, "If we are to turn the corner then we must be confident of winning our home games and I still don't think we've found the magic formula. Roots hall has to become a bastion. At the end of the day I am happy to be through to the next round as I want to go as far as possible in this trophy."
