Defenders thoughts after the draw with Gillingham
Ant Gerrard had another good game in the heart of the defence as Town played out a hard fought draw at home to Gillingham.
After the game he spoke to the press and was asked if he was pleased with a point;“Conditions were not conducive to passing football but I felt we did the basics well and we were pleased with a draw. We gave away a sloppy goal in the first half but there was nothing we could do about the second goal, four keepers wouldn’t have saved that! But after that we dug in well and I was really happy with the move that led to our second goal.”
“The last couple of games we have showed plenty of fighting spirit as well as sprinklings of quality. Our fourth goal against Sheffield United was an outstanding counter attack so I think the fundamentals are there now but you always have to give it 100% to get results in this league.”
“I think we have a lot of quality and pace and the last two games we have showed that. Our attacking options are brilliant and we are looking solid in defence too so we are going in the right direction. I think teams have to do something special to get goals against us now.”
It was Gerrard's fifth run out in a Town shirt since joining on non-contract terms and he was asked how would you rate your performance;“I thought I did well out there but I don’t want to get carried away. I think it is only my third or fourth 90 minutes of competitive football for a long time but I am just taking each game as it comes. I thought I did well against Sheffield too so hopefully my form will continue into January. I am feeling much sharper now than when I was playing for the U21’s as part of my recovery. I was feeling lethargic then but now I feel like I am hitting the ground running.”
Gillingham showed why they have been in the top places in the league with a strong attacking performance. Jayson Leutwiler picked up the man of the match awards after the game and Ant had nothing but praise for his keeper; “After we scored we sat deep and Jayson kept us in it with some fantastic saves. The one in the second half was great too so he did really well. He is a massive presence but his agility is also fantastic. I am sure a host of teams will be looking at him now he is going out of contract but I am hoping for Shrewsbury that they tie him down to another contract.”
The Liverpool born defender had praise for loan pair Kaikai and Cole who have impressed him; “Sullay KaiKai and Larnell Cole really impressed me. They gave everything today and they are developing very well and showing their competitive side and their desire to achieve things.”
The focus now switches to the visit of Walsall to the Greenhous Meadow on Tuesday night. It is the club where Gerrard started his playing career and a club with a special place in his heart;“The game will be massive for me. It will be the first time I have faced them since I left the club. I can’t thank Walsall enough for giving me the start in my football career. It made me realise what men’s football is! It was a great learning curve and I benefitted so much from it. Getting promoted at Swindon was a brilliant highlight of my career at Walsall. We went up as champions. I had a relegation with them too but the club will be in my heart forever.”
“My first boy was born there and I have a lot of fond memories and good friends. The fans there were amazing with me. Last year when I went there with Oldham I didn’t play but I had fans asking for pictures and that which was brilliant that I was still thought of back there.”