Boss Mark Bonner was dismayed by Gillingham’s lack of threat as the early-season frontrunners succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Crewe which saw them tumble off the top of the table.
Shilow Tracey netted in either half for Crewe, whose defending was immaculate in registering a fourth consecutive clean sheet in front of their own fans.
Bonner said: “I’m fuming, really, as I didn’t think it was a game we should be losing 2-0.
“We gave ourselves problems with an individual error for the first goal, although the second was a very good finish from Tracey.
“But we were not in a position to make moments like that ourselves and despite changing lots around there’s a few players who are desperate for some training weeks to get themselves up to the tempo of the games.
“I don’t think there was a lack of effort but it wasn’t good enough in the attacking half to create problems whereas Crewe with pace high up the pitch were a threat on the counter attack.
“We got into a mess with misplaced passes or poor crosses and we didn’t have the quality to finish things off like they did.
“We had lots of intent in the last 10 to 15 minutes but we’ve got to find miles more quality. There’s been a lack of sharpness in our players this week and we’ve lacked the ability to create really good chances and test the goalkeeper.”
Bonner’s side were looking to bounce back from their midweek home defeat at the hands of Grimsby.
But they were off the pace in the first half when Tracey started and finished a sweeping move with Jack Lankester, polishing off a simple close-range finish as the Gills defence wilted in the 17th minute.
The big striker followed that up with a fine finish on the hour as he galloped on to substitute Adrien Thibaut’s inside pass to hit an angled drive home off the far post.
In contrast, Tracey’s former strike colleague Elliott Nevitt endured a miserable afternoon on his return to Crewe as he was thwarted in the closing stages by Filip Marschall.
Crewe manager Lee Bell said: “I thought it was an outstanding performance from everyone.
“We came up with a gameplan to win the ball back and get the counter attacks going against them. We executed it brilliantly.
“The defenders were also outstanding and won everything in the air. Shilow has emptied himself which is what he does all the time. His second goal was brilliantly taken – he knew exactly what he wanted to do.
“For the first, Jack Lankester did ever so well to pick Shilow out for the first and I thought those two would be a handful all game.
“Jack had to come off as a precaution but Adrien Thibaut was excellent and he made a great decision to set up the second. He’s come into the fold and taken his chance really well.
“We want to enjoy playing in front of our own crowd and it’s credit to the players as you could see they were enjoying it with or without the football.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. The reason why Man City lost 5 matches in a row Erling Haaland lol Cucuruku Cook that thing… This The Man United cycle. This Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
The Portuguese has promised to not sign any Sporting CP stars in the winter window.However, all bets are off in the summer, with A Bola stating that Geovany Quenda is the main target.United are said to be preparing an offer of £50M plus bonuses to secure the young winger.Amorim can use Quenda in either wing-back position, while he is also capable of playing in the front three.Another player U...
The Algerian's contract expires in the summer of 2026 and he is believed to be eyeing a move away from Molineux.Rayan Ait-Nouri is wanted by Man UtdThat has put United are on red alert for a player as Amorim has made signing a left-back a priority.He wants to boost his options give Luke Shaw's injury record.Shaw could also eventually move into the back-three once the former Sporting Lisbon manager...
Mohamed Salah has said he is yet to receive a formal contract offer from Liverpool, adding that he is "more out than in" regarding whether he will stay at the club next season.Salah, whose contract is set to expire next summer, has enjoyed an impressive individual campaign, having scored 12 goals in all competitions this term, including a brace in Liverpool's 3-2 comeback win over Southampton on S...
Real Madrid monitoring Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite🚨👀 #Branthwaite is attracting the attention of 🇪🇺 top clubs.📃 #RealMadrid included the CB in their list of potential January targets, while 🏴 teams continue to monitor him ahead of June.💰 #Everton would like to keep him but are also open to evaluating bids >€70m. 🐓⚽ pic.twitter.com/5lpoomMdyp— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) Novem...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL Week 12 Ipswich 1-1 Man Utd Southampton 2-3 Liverpool LOL OUCH Cristiano Ronaldo now has 500 more Goals than Henry When a taxi driver asked Messi to take photo of him with Mascherano... Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Leicester City open talks with Van Nistelrooy over head coach job🚨🗣️ #Leicester have approached Ruud #vanNistelrooy to explore the negotiation margins to replace Steve Cooper on their bench.📃 David #Moyes and other names are under evaluation, but #LCFC would like to convince the 🇳🇱 manager as a priority. 🐓⚽ #Transfers pic.twitter.com/xsz3TT9q7P— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) November 24, 2024H...
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe was happy scoring in their win at Leganes.Real won 3-0 on Sunday, with Mbappe opening the scoring on the night.He later told RMTV: "I started well, with rhythm with my teammates, in a different position. As I said the first day I arrived here, I can play in many different positions and I will play to give my best, it is the story of my career, I play on the right,...
Leicester City have confirmed they have sacked manager Steve Cooper. The 44-year-old took charge for the final time on. Saturday, with the Foxes beaten at home by Chelsea in the Premier League.He leaves with Leicester 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone after being promoted under Enzo Maresca last season.Steve Cooper after Leicester's 2-1 loss to Chelsea.In a released stat...
Ruben Amorim said Manchester United will have to "suffer for a long period" before his methods help the club enjoy success again after a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town denied the new head coach a debut win in his first game in charge.Marcus Rashford's opening goal after 81 seconds had given United a dream start at Portman Road, but Omari Hutchinson's equaliser sealed a point for Kieran McKenna's team an...
- 1 I am not a lunatic – Craig Bellamy glad to show different side in Wales dugout
- 2 Roy Keane’s daughter pictured with Taylor Harwood-Bellis for first time
- 3 Johnnie Jackson bemoans refereeing decisions after dramatic Dons draw
- 4 Liam Cullen leads Wales to Nations League promotion
- 5 Ex-Prem ace asked Liverpool star for his sister's phone number
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Mascherano nears Miami; Martino exits
- 8 Mia Khalifa slams rumours of 'affair with ex-Prem star Julian Alvarez'
- 9 Daily Laugh - Antony and his latest ManUtd session
- 10 Chloe Kelly sends fans wild in daring outfit at GQ Men of the Year