Gillingham Report Card

By: Dr Fishy
Date: 27/09/2001

DR FISHY has compiled match statistics and a report card for the Grimsby Town side that lost 2-1 at home to Gillingham on Tuesday night.

Coyne: After being recently called up to the Wales squad, he turned in another good performance and made one or two very good saves. Had no chance with either goal although questions must be asked of how Chris Hope was able to head freely on the six yard line. Defence or the goalkeeper's responsibility?

Grade: C+

McDermott: This player has become more and more attacking in the past three or four games. Wasn't involved for much of the game (or so it seemed) but he did look lively on one or two occasions when getting forward. Of course he had to leave the field after collecting a calf injury.

Grade: C

Gallimore: Had a bit of trouble in the first half to settle in, but adapted well fairly soon. Again the full back got forward quite a bit and was at his best when linking up with Campbell down the left. Sometimes it looked as if he didn't know what to do with the ball and dallied on it for too long.

Grade: C

Groves: Not like the Captain to have such a poor game. It was clear from the off that Onoura and King's pace would be a problem and although they were coped with in the first half, it all fell apart in the second. Gifted King the second goal and got booked for dissent. Not like you, Paul.

Grade: D

Broomes: On the night he probably performed better than against Sheff Utd and Palace but the defence still looks unsettled whenever he steps in for Beharall. It could be that him and Groves haven't quite settled together as a pair at the back, but nevertheless he made one or two timely challenges and cleared off the line at 2-0 down.

Grade: C

Pouton: Looked like our most threatening player and the only one willing to run with the ball. He still refused to use his left foot which is really hampering his game. Also gave the ball away on a few occasions. Still, he tried and should have got a goal but his effort came back off the bar. One of our better midfielders on the night.

Grade: C+

Campbell: Didn't look as lively as we had come to expect, right from the start. Often found himself isolated down the left until Gallimore provided assistance. Then he drifted in too much when without the ball leaving the midfield a bit too narrow. Didn't really have a chance to show what he can really do before he was taken off.

Grade: C

Willems: It's difficult to grade someone when they only play for 17 minutes, but within that time we never saw a valuable contribution. It seems that the Dutchman prefers to play better away from home at the moment.

Burnett: It was another start for the former Terrier and he looked the one midfielder in control when Town had possession. Still guilty of sideways passing and giving the ball away cheaply, but most of the midfield did that. He was our most creative midfielder without really getting all that involved.

Grade: C+

Rowan: A poor first half but the youngster looked better in the second half alongside Jeffrey. His strike partner in the first half offered little assistance and Jeffrey gave Rowan chances in the second half. He saw one of his goal-bound efforts saved and caused Gillingham some problems when out wide, looking more like Lester.

Grade: B-

Jevons: Clearly not at his best and it would be unfair to grade him low just because of the manager's decision to play him. But he was bad. Offered little, obviously not fully-fit and quite rightly taken off at half time.

Grade: D+

SUBS

Jeffrey: So he might not be the most talented player at the club but he certainly gave 100% effort once more after coming on as a sub. Livened the game up a bit and Town kept possession more with him being able to hold the ball up with his back to goal. Had two chances to score, both were saved by Bartram.

Grade: B-

Allen: Came on for Campbell in the second half but we didn't really get to see him. Isolated at times, he didn't get a chance to score until he did. Showed great anticipation and predator instincts to slot past the keeper to pull a goal back. But apart from the goal he offered little.

Grade: C+

Butterfield: First contribution of the match was to get into an argument with Gallimore when it actually looked like Gallimore's fault. His passing was rather wayward at times but showed he has the vision, just not the ability to match it - yet. Had difficulty in getting to grips with the game.

Grade: C-

Best part of Town's game: There wasn't really much to shout about, but the game improved in the second half. Not many positives can come out of a performance like we were treated to the other night but I suppose if anything was to be given credit it was the way the strikers held up the ball better, especially Jeffrey.

Areas for improvement: Town really have to defend better, something that will be reiterated in the future on many occasions I'm sure. Not alert to the quick free kicks, losing out in the air and generally poor defending once more. Also they let Gillingham dictate play in the first half, like they let every time who come to Blundell Park do. They did look short of ideas going forward and didn't look bothered when they had to win possession back. Come on Town, wake up!!!

Entertainment scale: Although the second half was better than the first, it still was a very poor game. Little quality about it and it was very frustrating for the home fans. 4

Add To Facebook

This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!

Related Stories

• Gillingham Report
• Lawrence: Our Blackest Night
• 2001-2002 Squad Statistics
• More Stories