Jepson: It was a great performance

By Jack Nolan
December 24 2006

Ronnie Jepson gives his post match comments after the three - two away win at Tranmere. Jepsons men are now just five points off the play off zone and nine points away from the drop zone. Gary Mulligan bagged a brace in Saturdays win which also saw an impressive performance by Bas Savage.

"I was talking to Mick Docherty before the game and as players we didn't have much luck here with the other teams we had been here with, so it's always tough here and we spoke about that at the team meeting at the hotel this morning, and we went 2-nil down after five minutes, and they could have gone under quite easily today, but they never did, they showed unbelievable character and a nice togetherness which we have at the club, and we got a really deserved three points," said Jepson when speaking to BBC Radio Kent.

"We got off to a poor start, and we knew they'd come at us at a proper tempo after not playing for a week or so, and they just caught us on the hop a little bit, but that performance there from my boys was full of character. They could have gone under quite easily because it is a really difficult place to come with their home record, but we stuck at it and we got back into the game. The only disappointing thing is for me is I thought we could have maybe finished it off in the second half, because I thought we had the better chances.

"You saw the effort they put in today, they were absolutely knackered after the game, but that's what they get paid for so it's not a big problem, they'll get a massage tomorrow, they'll be looked after, and then we'll send them out for the Leyton Orient game.

"Any time is a good time to come into form. We've got a few games coming up now over the Christmas period and if we can get a few more points on the board in those then we'll assess where we're up to, and hopefully we'll be in that top half and pushing for that playoff spot," he said.

Gary Mulligan scored two goals taking his tally up to seven this season, and Bas Savage surprised many with a good performance where he set up two of the Gills goals. Speaking about 'Big' Bas Savage and Gary Mulligan, Jepson told BBC Radio Kent, "For his effort he deserves those goals, you saw what he did today, and I thought Bas Savage was superb alongside him as well. The both of them never stopped running, they gave the Tranmere back four a lot of problems with their height, and for two big lads they can move themselves, so very pleased that they got the goals which were deserved.

"People might look at you when you bring people like Bas in, but you know the market we're in, it's difficult at times to get people in, so we've given Bas an opportunity, and that was the first real opportunity I've given him today because it's hard when you are a sub sometimes, and today you saw a side of him which we have seen in training and he was up there in the top three for the man of the match today," said Jepson.

Jepson was also proud of the 175 travelling Gillingham supporters. "Just a mention to the supporters who have come all the way up here over the Christmas period, they must have been shell-shocked after five minutes, but once again away from home they stuck with us and the lads, and they are a credit to the club.

"It was good support, and even when we were 2-0 down they kept with us and they got their rewards."

Speaking about the Gills' upcoming fixtures and Leyton Orient, Jepson said: "They've run into a bit of form, especially away from home so we are going to have to be bang on again, and if we can capture the form we have showed in a lot of our home games then we will be OK, but if we step off it a touch it will be difficult. To go to a place like Forest and win takes some doing, so we'll have to be at our best."