Gillingham began their home League One campaign with defeat to Burton Albion on Saturday despite taking the lead after only seven minutes.
Malian midfielder Ouss Cisse gave the Gills the early advantage, finding the net after an error by the Burton keeper Kieran O’Hara, but two goals at the end of the half from Nathan Broadhead turned the match around and saw Nigel Clough’s men leave Priestfield with all three points.
Gills boss Steve Evans named eight home debutants in his starting line up, but they couldn’t find a way through the Brewers defence in the second half and remain without a win in their first two games under the controversial Scot.
The result was a bitter blow for many Gillingham fans who endured the sight of twelve teams celebrating three points at Priestfield last season. Some booing greeted the performance at the final whistle, and the predictable negative comments soon emerged on social media.
However, many supporters also took to Twitter to call for some perspective. In their view, it is going to take some time for the new signings to bed in and rather than boo, fans should bet behind the team. Some even felt part of the problem at the club was the fanbase who they think is too negative.
It is also apparent that Evans continues to divide fan opinion of the clubs he manages.
Here is a selection of supporter reaction to the result on Twitter.
Can't believe the boo boys are back already #Gills. If you didn't want to support the team then why turn up??
It's a brand new team that have yet to gel. I believe they will and i believe Evans and Raynor will not allow it to happen either.
Either back the whole club.Keep away!— Graham Mills (@GrahamM65938629) August 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/TaylorJ45836692/status/1160481645817933825?s=20
Evans can't deliver without a decent budget, which #Gills havent got .#EvansOut
— Colin Hamer cast adrift from a small island (@Colhamer) August 10, 2019
The thing with Steve Evans is that I expect him nto recognise the problems and fix them. Steve Lovell would just pretend everything was fine. Evans was honest and accurate in his aftermatch comments #Gills
— Dan Gipson (@DannyGipson) August 10, 2019
Not going to panic after 2 games. it wasn’t good,but we will have a good idea after 10 games #Gills
— 𝙎𝔱𝑒𝖕ℎ𝑒ռ (@KFG2003) August 10, 2019
Last seasons defensive frailties all too apparent. Goal conceded from wide areas gotta stop if we're to move on #gills
— Steve Joyce (@SteveJoyce14) August 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/DarrenF88/status/1160226736673607680?s=20
Two games into the season and fans are going into meltdown. Writing off the manager and the players alike. Today was awful but bear in mind we won both our first games last season and were terrible after. The first few games don’t define a season. Need bodies in next week #Gills
— OS (@OwenLDBR) August 10, 2019
Another positive to having Steve Evans as #Gills manager is he’ll act upon this loss. There’s still time before transfer deadline day for him to get rid of 12 players and bring in 14 new ones.
— Trev (@Trev_GFC) August 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/TaylorJ45836692/status/1160218814908420096?s=20
#gills hold your nerve people
— Stephen bovis (@bovis_stephen) August 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/UK_Pat37/status/1160578639924224000?s=20
Watching the #Gills fan base tear itself apart after just two games is quite depressing.
— Neil Starkey (@NStarkey) August 11, 2019
The season lasts for 46 games not just the first 2.Give the boys a chance to settle in together and give Steve time to sort things out. Rome wasn’t built in a day .Lets just wait and see come the end of the season.In short get off the manager’s and team’s back and let them perform.The atmosphere at home is at times horrible but not so away when we really get behind the team .Come on you Gills!