Reaction: Gillingham boss Steve Lovell on the 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers at Priestfield

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 18:00, 16 December 2017

A big home win delighted Gillingham boss Steve Lovell on Saturday but he knows there’s room for improvement.

His side put four past Bristol Rovers to climb out of the League 1 relegation zone.

Lovell said: “It was very pleasing but there were certain things that, as a manager, I wasn’t happy with.

Steve Lovell salutes the home fans after a 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers Picture: Andy Jones

“First and foremost I was really happy with the result but the way we started, we could have been a goal down in the first 30 seconds, Tomas Holy (the Gills keeper) kept us in the game.

Report: Gillingham 4 Bristol Rovers 1

“We changed our formation and set-up after 10 minutes and it seemed to work for us, we dominated the game then.

“It was a mixed performance. There were patches where we have played brilliant stuff, absolutely wonderful stuff and there were times we gave the ball away over five yards.

Josh Parker in action for the Gills Picture: Andy Jones

“But when you are winning by four goals you have to think ‘something has gone right’.

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“Defensively we were sound as a unit and every time we went forward we looked as if we would create something and get a goal.”

The Gills ended the half on top, leading 2-0, then dominating after the turnaround.

“We looked so dangerous,” said the Gills boss.

Scott Wagstaff is fouled for Gills' first penalty Picture: Andy Jones

“When we kept switching the play and passing it, as quickly as we did, apart from the first 15, we caused them a lot of problems.

“There were some good goals and we could have had a few more.

“I was very pleased with the result and the performance for most of it, but the boys know it was an important three points, that was the most important thing. The get the four goals was a bonus.”

The Gills did concede at the death following a defensive mistake.

Scott Wagstaff is fouled for Gills' second penalty Picture: Andy Jones

Lovell said: “I don’t want to be disrespectful to Bristol Rovers but sometimes when you are winning 4-0 and creating the chances, things get a little too easy.

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“You start doing things that perhaps you wouldn’t normally do because you are enjoying yourself.

“You can’t take that from the players, they earned that right. They still have to be disciplined and that is a little criticism for them, they most probably took their foot off the pedal a bit but it is so easy to do.

“I want them to continue to do the right things and for most of the game they did. I am just being picky.”