Good professional performance from the Gills and deserved win against a well drilled, organised and tidy Wycombe side who won’t be anywhere near the position they’re in come the end of the season, but won’t struggle - can see them in mid table with us as the season progresses, maybe even an outside push at the playoffs as we hopefully may.
First half was dull and a bit a scrappy. Can only recall one half chance each - Wycombe missing a shot at the near post from a cross by some distance and Max finding himself in good space from a free kick cross, controlling well and maybe should have done better but the keeper saved well with his feet. The game wasn’t helped by a whistle happy slightly theatrical ref and some of the Wycombe players seeming to suffer with some sort of addiction which saw them rolling around the floor every 5 mins.
The second half wasn’t dissimilar, but we just pushed for it a bit more than them and probably has a bit more quality going forward especially with the addition of the bustling Hanlon, who as pointed out elsewhere looked much better playing wider, plus more craft in midfield with Lee and the addition of Pringle. The goal was slightly out of the blue as neither team really threatened, great run and cross by Hanlon and finish by Ndjoli. I commented last week that I thought the penalty against Barry was soft - Barry gave the lad a chance to go down which was poor from someone so inexperienced and the lad took it. Harsh pen and the one for us was a carbon copy for me - slack defending, but not enough contact for me. I suggested last week these things even themselves out and it didn’t take long. Great to see us slot one away for once. After that it was pretty much game over. Wycombe huffed amen puffed and caused a few goalmouth scrambled with big Bayo central to most things but can’t recall Bonham needing to make a save of more. Equally we had a few breaks as they pressurised us which could have came to something but neither team rally looked like scoring after 2-0 which suited us.
All in a nice win and deserved if not the greatest game. And credit to all for putting in a hearty performance after a virus swept the squad costing of top scorer, Jakubiak, William and RCC with others - Lee, Pringle, Hanlon etc playing through it. Ndjoli probably deserved the MoM for his two goals, but I thought Marshall ran him close with a really energetic performance on the wing, showing craft but a lot of ability to track back and win the ball - could be a good partnership between him and Barry developing. Barry and Ogilvie were both immense at the back. Hanlon added some real pace and energy,
Mandron some much needed physical presence and Lee then Pringle showed some nice craft and touch in midfield.
Things are looking up, but when have we said that before? A win or nice draw at Rovers on Tuesday sets up a belter v Ipswich next Saturday.