Gillingham’s top scorer Jayden Clarke has apologised over his “cryptic” social media post.
Clarke had fans questioning what was going on after both he and defender Shad Ogie posted sand clock memes on their accounts this week. Neither player has been featuring in recent weeks under boss John Coleman.
Clarke responded when one fan questioned whether something was going on. The posts had some supporters wondering if it meant there was soon to be a management change.
The Gills are 19th in League 2 and managed by John Coleman who was brought in to shake things up.
In response to the questions, Clarke explained what he meant, writing: “Totally unintentional, emojis were more supposed to suggest patience and will be back soon rather then somethings happened. Apologies.”
A few fans suggested the players weren’t doing themselves any favours while one wrote: “Getting so tired of this cryptic stuff…”
Clarke, 23, remains Gillingham’s top scorer with seven goals despite struggling to get a look-in under Coleman.
His last appearance was off the bench in a 2-1 home loss to Fleetwood Town a month ago. He’s not been in a matchday squad in the last three games, not since the away game at Newport County where Coleman chose not to use any substitutes in a 3-1 loss.
Clarke hasn’t played in Gillingham’s last seven games and has only started one under Coleman.
The Gills boss was asked about Clarke’s absence last week and said: “A few of the players on the fringes we don’t feel are sharp enough yet.
“In order to put them in and get them sharp we would have to take someone out who is sharp. It is a bit of a chicken and egg situation.
“It’s down to training to get your sharpness. If you can impress and buy into what we’re trying to play, which is quite high-tempo, high-energy, I think everyone has an opportunity to play.”
Central defender Ogie has dropped down the pecking order since the emergence of youngster Sam Gale and the signing of loan defender Andy Smith.
Conor Masterson has also returned to the team and Coleman has had ex-captain Max Ehmer on the bench as the spare centre-half.
Ogie hasn’t been in any of the last seven matchday squads and last played at Barrow, starting that game which the Gills lost 3-0, with a performance that led to scathing criticism from Coleman.
Bradley Dack is another one who hasn’t featured recently and he was made his feelings clear in his social media post at the weekend.
He wrote: “Gutted not to be out there helping the boys.
“I know I’ve got a lot left to give.”
Coleman could choose to make changes this weekend after admitting his team looked “tired and leggy” in a goalless draw with leaders Walsall.
The Gills are still struggling for goals and haven’t scored more than one in a match since before Christmas. They head to fellow strugglers Harrogate Town this Saturday.
