Mikael Mandron continued his recent good form by slotting home the winning goal in Gillingham’s 1-0 victory over Lincoln City at Priestfield on Saturday.
The twenty-five-year-old had been struggling for game time following his summer switch from League Two Colchester United, but a consolation goal in the recent defeat by high-flyers Peterborough appears to have kick-started his season with his goal against the Imps coming after an excellent display in the Gills recent FA Cup tie with Sunderland.
Speaking about his French striker to Gillingham Live, Gills boss Steve Evans revealed Mandron was close to going out on-loan to the National League before the duo had a frank chat in the manager’s office. He said: ‘We think he enjoyed his summer a little bit too much. He wasn’t quite right to play with us, especially with the intensity that we like to play.’
‘He came into my office about a month ago, four or five top Conference clubs wanted him, but he said, ‘I am going to show you, I am going to get fit and sharp, and I will play my part.’
Evans then added while he was pleased with Mandron’s improved attitude and fitness, the French forward needs to add consistency to his game to become one of the first names on his teamsheet, adding: ‘He has played one-and-a-half games really well, half a game before that, he now needs to do that ten-twelve games to be thinking he is going to be a regular.’
‘He is a kid that comes in now, fully focused. From July to September, it wasn’t quite there.’
‘I said to him, ‘I want you in my team, I signed you to play you,’ and his focus has been top drawer.’
‘He was terrific at Sunderland, and on Saturday, over the 90 minutes, he gave their three centre-backs a real tough afternoon.’
The win over Lincoln moved the Gills up to fourteenth in League One, and Evans will be looking to get his big forward firing once again on Tuesday night when the Gills host Sunderland in their FA Cup first-round replay.
Our View
We rate Mandron highly, but it looked like he was blowing his chance at Gillingham.
However, through gritted teeth, we have to say Evans has shown decent man-management skills to get the striker performing.
Mandron has all the attributes to be a top League One striker; it sounds like the only thing holding him back is attitude, so it is good news for Gillingham fans their controversial boss is finally starting to get the best out of him.
