Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has offered a scathing criticism of his players after they crumbled against League Two promotion contenders Cambridge United.
Neil Harris’ side effortlessly outclassed their visitors at the Abbey Stadium, with Gills failing to register a single shot on target, with United ultimately cruising to a 5-0 win, extending their advantage over fourth-placed Notts County to four points.
Ainsworth Fuming With Performance
It has been a horrid week for Gillingham, with the result against Cambridge marking the second straight game they conceded five goals, having also capitulated at Priestfield against second-placed MK Dons in a 5-1 loss.
Speaking to KentOnline and giving his verdict on Gillingham’s performance in recent weeks, Gareth Ainsworth was blunt with his critique.
“We have to defend better, we have to be stronger, we have to be more robust. We’re in a pretty poor situation at the moment.
“I just don’t think some players are good enough, and I’ve got to make changes there. We didn’t score, we didn’t hit the target. [It was] a terrible result. We went one-nil down after one minute. It’s just not good enough.
“[I was] devastated to lose 5-0 [against] a very strong team and while we’ve had our injury crisis, we’ve played second, third, and we’re about to play fourth [Swindon] in the league, and that doesn’t go well.
“We seem to have had it tough on the fixtures, but you’ve got to play everyone. You’ve got to stand up to it, some of the boys didn’t.
“I think the fans deep down know that when I get my best XI out there, we are a competitor in this league, but my next XI isn’t good enough, and that needs to get sorted.”
Summer Revolution Likely
With Gareth Ainsworth now open about his disdain for his side’s efforts and ability, it is now inevitable that there will be a major overhaul of players in the summer.
Many of this current crop of players are likely to be out of the door by the end of the campaign, with a fresh start probably the best course of action to get Gillingham back competing at the top of League Two.
The remainder of this season has little riding on it, with the bottom sides very unlikely to be able to make up the points difference, meaning now is the best time for Ainsworth to try and promote some of his more promising youth players to become the stars of the future at Priestfield.
Harry Waldock was handed his debut under tough circumstances against Cambridge, and perhaps some of their other current youth players should be given more minutes in the remainder of the campaign.