Lovell’s ‘perfect’ week ends in style

GETTING the top job, then picking up three points to move out of the drop zone for the first time in months – it was no wonder Gills boss Steve Lovell classed it ‘the perfect week’.

Lovell was this week rewarded for his impressive caretaker reign with the Gills job until the end of the season – and this gutsy win was evidence why.

His players will clearly battle to the end for Lovell and they ground out victory at fellow strugglers Walsall, despite going down to ten men.

Lovell said: “It’s been a perfect week. To have the news off the chairman on Thursday, then to come here and get three points – an absolutely perfect week!

“This gives me more pleasure than any other away win. I’m so pleased for the boys, they’ve worked so hard.

“It wasn’t an actionpacked attacking display, but I’m so pleased with the way that we defended as a unit – especially with ten men, that was brilliant. It was a perfect defensive display.

“It’s nice to be outside the relegation zone, but it’s the three points that mattered most.”

While Lovell is flavour of the month down south, Jon Whitney faced heckles from some Walsall fans as the Saddlers slipped just a point off the drop zone.

Whitney said: “The fans can sing about me all day long. But I am going to keep doing the job I was brought to do – develop young players.

“I’m proud to have that opportunity and that title. But if you have got that title you have to accept criticism.

“I can take it for my young players, that is what I’m here for. And I understand fans’ frustrations.

“But I also hope they understand what we are trying to achieve at this club. We are not going to panic or make a kneejerk reaction because of the position we are in.”

Only the outstretched leg of Gills keeper Tomas Holy denied Walsall a 12thminute opener as Kieron Morris almost bundled home Erhun Oztumer’s dangerous nearpost corner.

Walsall bossed the rest of the half but created little and fell behind on 44 minutes as Kinsella’s poor touch gifted Conor Wilkinson the chance to poke under Saddlers keeper Liam Roberts.

The second half followed a similar pattern as Morris saw a shot deflected inches wide, while Holy made a superb flying finger-tip save to thwart Amadou Bakayoko’s fierce drive.

Max Ehmer was sent off for a second yellow on 72 minutes but Gills defended admirably to deny Walsall.