Gillingham boss Steve Lovell unable to explain erratic form in League 1

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 08:09, 22 October 2018

Updated: 08:11, 22 October 2018

Gillingham’s form is baffling and even the manager can’t understand it.

The Gills recently beat table-toppers Portsmouth on their travels and returned from fourth placed Doncaster on Saturday with another point in the bag - having almost taken all three.

But at home it’s a different story, with the Gills losing their last three, most recently to mid-table Southend.

Gillingham manager Steve Lovell at Doncaster Picture: Ady Kerry

Asked what could be behind such erratic form, Lovell said: “There is no rhyme or reason is there? I really don’t know.

“We have got results against two of the form teams in the league and maybe it is the pressure of playing at home, you don’t know. Some of them are young lads, for some it is their first year in (professional league) football, perhaps that is the reason.

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“But even the home game against Southend first half, had we taken our chances like we did against Doncaster, we would have won that quite easily. We had opportunities.

“On Saturday was we got ourselves infront and they had to chuck men forward but we defended well for most of the game. (We conceded from) two set plays and a deflected goal, when you are down there the luck doesn’t go your way.

Encouragement from Gills boss Steve Lovell at the weekend Picture: Ady Kerry

“We go to Plymouth Tuesday and hopefully the luck will turn around for us and we start winning the games that we deserve to win.”

Plymouth are bottom of League 1, winning just one of their 14 games.

Lovell said: “It is about us going there and putting in a shift, like we did on Saturday and if we do, then we can win the game. We can beat any team in this league, if we are at it.

“We can take a lot out of the way they performed (on Saturday), the way they worked and scored goals. We can score goals but it is at the other end, we need to be a bit more resolute.”

Gills’ win over Portsmouth was their only maximum in their last 11 league games, but they came close on Saturday, conceding a 91st minute equaliser.

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“I was so disappointed for the boys,” said the manager.

“A point is good but three would have been fantastic We go onto Tuesday and maybe I will be standing there saying that’s three points and our luck has turned, that is what we have to hope for.”