Manager John Coleman accepts he has to get Gillingham playing a more exciting brand of football.
Coleman’s struggled for wins since taking charge and goalscoring remains a big issue. He’s got 10 games left to get the excitement levels raised as he looks to secure a longer-term contract as first-team boss.
The Gills haven’t managed to score more than a single goal in a game under Coleman – but the issues have been there a lot longer than that.
A woeful scoring record has beset the Gills since dropping out of League 1, netting just 35 goals as they fell into the basement division, where the problems persist.
Neil Harris, Stephen Clemence, Mark Bonner and now Coleman have all struggled to get the team firing. Their current boss highlighted the problem again after the game at Accrington on Saturday.
The Gills scored a 94th-minute equaliser, netting with their only shot on target.
“We’ve got to make better chances,” said Coleman – a man who hit non-league records as a striker during his own playing days.
“It’s all right to be bemoaning our lack of goals. Our forwards have got to be better, but we’ve got to provide them a better service. That was lacking. It has been lacking all season, to be fair if we’re honest, and
certainly since I’ve come here. I’m not absolved of any blame for that.
“We’ve got to keep working at it. We’ve got to keep working at being positive in front of goal.
“We’ve got to start focusing on a style of football that’s got to yield better attacking options. If you want to go with the new buzzword, better xG (expected goals).
“We’ve got to start looking more dangerous. We’re playing the cards that we’ve been dealt but I’d like us to improve in and around the attacking areas.
“I’ve said all along, teams in this league will give you chances. At this moment in time we’re not capitalising on the opportunities that we get and we’re not getting enough opportunities. That’s our own fault.
“That’s something that we’ve got to work on. Maybe we have to change the shape.
“We are a bit better at home, to be fair, but we’ve got to be getting the crowds on the edge of their seats, getting me on the edge of my seat, even though I’m standing up!
“We’ve got to get us off the edge of our seats and really have the oohs and aahs, that’s what we need. As a football fan, that’s what everyone wants.”
A point at Accrington last weekend was another towards Gillingham’s safety target.
With a 12-point cushion over the relegation places it’s looking all-but-certain the Gills will be playing League 2 football again next season.
Coleman said: “It’s another point on the board. It’s another point closer to getting to probably the 46-47 mark that will see us safe.
“It keeps other teams below you, which is always pleasing.
“We’ve just got to focus on the next game now, which is going to be a tough game against Walsall (at home this Saturday).
“One thing that is evident now is how hard the lads worked. Some of them were running on empty at the end [of last Saturday] because they put that much in.
“Robbie [McKenzie’s] been carrying an injury for probably since he was born, by the looks of it. He soldiers through it. Conor [Masterson] did well to get as long as we got out of him.
“I’m pleased with the effort that we’re putting in. I just want a bit more quality.”
