I don’t normally not want to write an article, but this morning has to be the lowest I’ve felt since I’ve started doing this. Even when we lost the playoff final, we thought there was reasons to be optimistic and we all had that ‘we go again’ attitude but it appears no one has that at the moment.
Let’s talk about Gillingham for a moment. They currently sit 22nd in the division, with only 2 away wins all season (including today). I always stand by defending the players and the manager, and if you think that is going to change today, then you are wrong. We were awful today, by far the worst we have been all season, but I won’t sit here and call them all the names under the sun. I will back the manager until the end, same with the players because that’s my opinion on how to be a supporter but if you don’t have the same view as me, that’s fine, each to their own. That said, there was one thing our fanbase did today, that was very aggravating to see. Young Morgan Whittaker was subbed on in the 70th minute, and was booed before he touched the ball. I think we all know he was poor on Tuesday, I can ensure you he knows that too, but honestly what was the need to boo him. If his confidence wasn’t already shot, I’m sure it is now. Absolutely no need whatsoever.
We changed system, starting with what looked like a 4-4-2, with Tom Hopper and John Marquis leading the line. Joe Walsh came back into the team after his suspension for Adam Jackson, who is once again injured. I liked the look of the team before kick-off but I think our biggest mistake was having only Bishop and McGrandles in the middle. We got outnumbered numerous times and the second goal came from no one guarding our back four like Bridcutt does. I get why MA went with that team, we want Tom Hopper fit but you can’t really drop Marquis and it also shows people that we want to win the game, but if you don’t win the midfield battle, you don’t normally win the game. That’s the basics of football.
One of the only positives to come from today was Brooke Norton-Cuffy again, which thankfully gives me an option for MOTM. I spoke on Instagram a few hours ago about potentially starting him in the front three on Saturday, and I wouldn’t be against it at all. He looks to run at people, and wants to drive forward. The only other positive was seeing Hopper back on the pitch, and he’s obviously not up to speed after coming back from a long term injury but the others can’t be excused.
I don’t like needlessly bringing ex-players into the conversation after a loss, we missed Harry Anderson today. All the talk about Brennan Johnson and Jorge Grant makes people forget about how big of an asset Harry was for us. He was a regular under MA early last season, but I don’t think anyone at this level could get in a team instead of Brennan Johnson. I just felt like we miss someone willing to run with raw pace on the wing.
In recent weeks, the performances have been there but the results haven’t, which gives us a bit of hope. We have a tough couple of weeks coming up, starting with Sheffield Wednesday next week, but looking at the fixture list, I struggle to see where our results might come. I expected the reaction yesterday after that result and performance, but for me sacking MA isn’t the answer. Let’s hope we can at least put in a better performance Saturday and somehow pick up a result.
The AllLincoln MOTM is Brooke Norton-Cuffy.