Gillingham assistant manager Richard Dobson says Lenni Cirino does not need to apologise for his red card in the EFL Trophy defeat at Colchester United, insisting the young winger will learn from the experience.
Cirino, who joined the Gills in the summer, was dismissed for two yellow cards as the Kent side fell to a late 2–1 loss on Tuesday night.
League Two 
Dobson Defends Cirino’s Commitment
The 22-year-old was booked twice in the final 20 minutes, with the second caution coming shortly after Colchester had equalised. The hosts went on to win the match with a stoppage-time penalty against ten men, but Dobson, standing in for Gareth Ainsworth, said the youngster’s reaction and attitude were more important than the mistake itself.
“He’s apologised but I said to him, ‘You don’t need to apologise,’” said Dobson. “You need to learn from the experience. He said straight away, ‘Maybe when I’m on a booking, I shouldn’t have gone in and made the tackle.’ “I said, ‘That’s the learning. I’m not disappointed with you because you showed grit and determination. I like your spirit. You just need to learn about when and where to make that decision.’”
Dobson added that the incident would serve as a valuable lesson for Cirino as he adapts to the demands of senior football, saying he hopes the player will “take it on board” and avoid a similar situation in future league matches.
Encouraging Signs Despite Red Card
Before his dismissal, Cirino had impressed with an energetic display and provided the assist for Sam Vokes’ opening goal, delivering a teasing ball across goal that the striker turned home. His positive attacking contribution was matched by praise from Dobson, who highlighted the player’s improvement since joining the club.
“He’s improving the defensive side of his game, which I’m really happy about,” said Dobson. “We know his quality going forward and his pace, but as a left-sided player he needs to be tested against quick opponents — and that’s what he got.”
Dobson pointed to Colchester’s Owura Edwards as an example of the challenge Cirino faced on the night, describing the winger as “a player who gives top opponents problems with his pace.”
Writer’s View
Although Cirino’s red card proved costly on the night, Dobson’s response underlines Gillingham’s focus on long-term development rather than short-term frustration. The young wide man’s energy, creativity and work rate have caught the eye in recent weeks, and this setback is likely to be seen as part of his learning curve.
If Cirino can harness his aggression and channel it into consistency, he could become a valuable option for the Gills as they continue to balance youth development with results in League Two and cup competitions.
