Gillingham boss John Coleman said he will take responsibility for his side’s loss to Newport County.
An injury-stricken Exiles side blew the Kent side away in the first half, with winger Bobby Kamwa claiming a hat-trick inside half an hour. Whilst The Gills did reclaim some honour with Jimmy-Jay Morgan reducing the deficit, it was not enough to prevent a fifth loss under Coleman.
“Too Wide Open”
Speaking to Kent Online following the defeat at Rodney Parade, the former Accrington Stanley boss admitted it was his tactics which condemned Gillingham to defeat.
“Firstly, I’d like to apologise to the travelling fans for the result, really.
“Naivety in defending from us in the first half. I could see after three minutes it was too wide open. We were too wide open, they were too wide open. It was like a basketball game from the first three minutes.
“Normally, you come away from home, you get a foothold in the game. We’ve defended solidly since them three (Ehmer, Smith and Gale) have got together as a back three. With Hutton and Max Clark, we’ve looked really solid. (On Tuesday) we didn’t.
“Maybe I’ve gone too gung-ho in my approach to the game, full stop. So, I have to take responsibility for that.”
It is yet another tricky test for the Priestfield side in their next game, welcoming a Bradford City side that has been dominant since the turn of the year to Medway.
Writer’s View
John Coleman had to shoulder the blame for this defeat as it allowed Newport to attack and ultimately give Bobby Kamwa complete control of the game to effectively put it to bed within the opening third of the match. It has not been a very hopeful start for the 62-year-old at his new club, sealing just one win in his opening 11 matches. They face a Bradford side this weekend that have been dominating most sides in League Two and will no doubt be buoyed by how they controlled their win over Cheltenham Town. Complacency within The Bantams’ ranks could give the Gills a chance though.
