We need more experience, admits Bristol Rovers boss
MARK McGhee will consider fast-tracking Gary Kenneth back in to the starting line-up for tomorrow's night's game at Plymouth and is also hopeful of adding an experienced striker to his squad in an effort to overcome Bristol Rovers' slump.
The Pirates remain winless after being beaten 4-0 at Gillingham on Saturday, after which McGhee admitted he may have placed "too much faith" in what is essentially a very young squad.
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The manager confirmed afterwards that Kenneth could be considered for a first competitive start for the club at Home Park, almost a fortnight ahead of schedule after making "vast improvements" in his general fitness towards the end of last week.
The Post also understands McGhee has made an approach to an unnamed club in a bid to recruit an experienced striker on loan after Matt Harrold left Priestfield on crutches, having been withdrawn with a knee problem in the 34th minute.
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"It did look a little like men against boys," said McGhee.
"I'm making comparisons between us and Gillingham at the end of the game and you only need to look to see we had nine players on the pitch who are all of an age that you wouldn't consider as being men in football terms.
"They are of an age where they are looking around for a bit of help and guidance and maybe I need to question whether or not I've put too much faith in so many of these young players.
"Too many of them are coming up short at this moment in time, but it is my decision to put them out there on the pitch at the end of the day, so a lot of the responsibility lies with me."
McGhee was critical of the defensive lapses in the opening exchanges, which saw his side concede two goals to effectively render the game over as a contest before half-time.
Tom Parkes conceded a penalty that was converted by Danny Kedwell after only four minutes, before the striker doubled his tally with a near-post header from a long throw before 15 minutes had elapsed.
"You're always going to struggle away from home if you concede goals as early and as cheaply as we did," said McGhee.
"We'd gave ourselves an almost impossible task inside 15 minutes against a team that was top of the league. I don't really know how much deeper we can look beyond the first 15 minutes to find reasons why we lost the game.
He added: "I do not feel I have a back four that is capable of keeping clean sheets at the moment and that is a worry for me. We're improvising and I can't really do any more than try and find the right combination with the players we have got.
"We'll work hard in training to try and make ourselves harder to beat, but until I have the likes of Garry and Danny (Woodards) back. I can't see us keeping a clean sheet."
McGhee last week targeted the trip to Exeter on October 29 as a possible return date for summer signing Kenneth after expressing concerns over his general fitness early last week.
"I'd initially decided to bring the date forward and have Garry available for selection for next Saturday (against Fleetwood), but maybe I'll have to do it even quicker than that," said McGhee.
"He did a lot of running around the training ground towards the end of last week and I was really pleased with the improvements he has made. I'll have another look at him again on Monday morning and then I'll make a decision. Garry is desperate to play but I have to be a little bit careful because I don't want to rush him back too quickly only for him to get injured again."
Comments
by davenportblue
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 12:20AM
“some people are on here saying we are onl 5 games into the seson and that we should not panic and that things will turn around but the truth i we are not losing matches by the odd goal or bit of bad luck.
NO WE ARE GETTING HAMMERED.its only because the opposition lays back after half time that its not 8-0. eventually we will come up against a team that maintains its pressure fo a full 90 minutes.
we ae a mile off safety already, the idea of promotion is just a distant dream and the target must be 22nd place at last”
by Oldfrank
Monday, September 17 2012, 9:20PM
“Eastville 1966 and bluecamel I agree this is a time when our dwindling band of fans need to stick together but where is the unifying cry from Mr Higgs ?
The only way he knows is to get his cheque book out and it's been plain over the past five years that isn't the answer. Very soon we will sign a loan player, maybe two, and he will pop up again spouting off about how the problem is solved and how we are on our way up but we all know in our hearts it isn't true.
Think of any business in any sector of industry or commerce which has traditionally been classed as middle ranking. If it keeps plunging down and down till it's the second lowest in the whole country who do you blame ? Is it the customers, the workers, the managers or the directors ? There is only one sensible answer to that question and we all know what it is.
Many Gasheads say there is no alternative and nothing we can do but there is. If we let the board keep getting away with it they'll screw us till the cows come home. But if we put pressure on them and keep highlighting the absurd way they run the club there's just a chance they might change.”
by FromMendip
Monday, September 17 2012, 7:24PM
“Fans have short memories.
When McGhee had Rovers on a roll last season, which was before City's late surge from the relegation zone, Gasheads were going onto football web boards saying City had employed the wrong Scot as manager and that Rovers had the right one.”
by Mike_Hope
Monday, September 17 2012, 6:57PM
“It must be so difficult for McGhee. Kids like Gill (31), Paterson (32), Harrold (28), Clarkson (27), Anyinsah (27), Virgo (29) and Bevan if he ever gets fit (32).
Perhaps the problem is that McGhee has put together a very poor squad of journeymen, some young, some old, and that's why Rovers are in 91st place!
But how many more managers will we have to sack before fans realise the problems at the club might be a little higher up the Gas food chain?”
by dickpuller
Monday, September 17 2012, 6:50PM
“What has he done in football ? How many clubs have sacked him ? hes a jock with no brains and no cash....”
by CharlesBridge
Monday, September 17 2012, 1:52PM
“Just think about how many supports share donations it costs each month to pay clunker Clarkson's wages.
As for MM, I expect with such a long time in the football wilderness he's just happy to feel some kind of belonging.
Rovers, jocks on the rocks and blue and white socks....”
by bluecamel
Monday, September 17 2012, 1:39PM
“@Eastville6 - Like you i agree, you do have to stick with the big Yin, and like you, being a season ticket holder for more years than i can remember, and attending games since 1966 ... i will be there each and every home game supporting my beloved team.
But all of last season it was clear that we lacked a midfield and a star striker - yet again the club sell their best players and are not replaced with quality signings - yes, i know that this is league two, but the same club found the like of "Lambert" while in the same league. I am frustrated not by MM but the "clubs" Failure to allow the man in charge to sign the players that we so desperately need, becaues that is how it seems to the like of myself and many others ?
I found myself actually asking has MM manfactured these results so that the board release funds ? or are we that bad, and the leage position does not lie ?
Yes it is early in the season but all the problems that haunted the club last season are still there and the player[s] that helped remove the gloom are sold on and yet again not replaced ?
And again i ask WHY ?
You need a striker who can bring the fans back and a midfield capable of supporting such a player, the defence can be sorted, lets be honest there has been enough of them ?
The like of Gill and Virgo are simply not good enough, but i hope to be proved wrong, becaues MM has no plans in dropping either of them.
Ohh up the gas, and see you Saturday - those who bother to turn up that is !!!!”
by Eastville1966
Monday, September 17 2012, 10:31AM
“5 games into the league season and already the head of the manager is being demanded.
Admittedly the start to the season has been horrendous but is it really the fault of the manager who was being treated as the Messiah at the end of last season? I think he summed it up well after the Morecamble defeat - there were 11 individuals out there and no team. I know there has been a degree of bad luck with injuries and refereeing decisions but at the end of the day it is the players who have to take the blame - maybe inexperience (especially in defence) and lack of confidence is at the forefront of the problems.
If we get a good run together over the next few weeks it will take us to a comfortable mid-table position - but it is at times like now that the REAL supporters need to get behind the team - staying away from matches will not help. I will be there no matter what as the team need hardcore supporters who have followed the club through good times and bad.....so get behind the team and I am sure things will improve....ever the optimist!”
by jceegas
Monday, September 17 2012, 9:58AM
“some of you gasheads who read the comments and rate them are so out of touch with reality, we are not going up with a manager like mcgoo........wake up and smell the coffee”
by bluecamel
Monday, September 17 2012, 8:50AM
“No striker or midfield last season - same problem this season .....
Why ??”