Gills boss Lovell full of praise for striker Eaves

Posted Sunday, February 03, 2019 by PA

Gillingham manager Steve Lovell was effusive in his praise for star man Tom Eaves after the striker’s late penalty salvaged a 1-1 draw at Coventry.

Eaves was the subject of intense transfer speculation during the January window, but Gills were able to retain the services of their leading scorer and he scored his 16th goal of the season – his first since mid-December – to rescue a point.

Lovell admitted there was no doubt in his mind as Eaves stepped up to take the penalty.

“I had every faith in him,” Lovell said. “I had one eye shut, but as the boys said, they thought the keeper had two eyes shut.

“He did that against Hartlepool in the cup tie and scored that one, so it was nice that he slotted it in because he deserved it.

“He’s worked hard. It hasn’t been easy for him with all the speculation that has been around him, but he’s been nothing but professional and worked hard every day.

“He loves it here at this football club and I’m really pleased, we’re really pleased and the supporters are really pleased that he’s with us until the end of the season.

“Apart from the goal he scored I thought he led the line brilliantly. With Graham (Burke) alongside him, who tended to read him very well, and the two boys either side of him – I thought they all played well.

“They worked together and it was pleasing to see because I think on a better pitch we would have created a lot more chances.”

Coventry boss Mark Robins was angered as his side’s winless run stretched to five League One games.

It was a similar scenario to last weekend’s defeat to Blackpool, where the Sky Blues were punished for yet another series of missed chances.

“I’m absolutely fuming, that’s two points we have thrown away.

“We got the breakthrough and then you want to push on, but we were all over the place for the goal and it’s a major disappointment.

“We were the better team once again; however, we didn’t take the chances we created.”

Robins felt City could have dealt with the penalty situation far more easily and therefore have come away with a win.

“We were saying at half-time it looked like a 1-0 game and we managed to get the goal,” Robins added.

“But then Jordan Willis, who hadn’t really put a foot wrong all game, then decided to listen to a shout back to the goalkeeper that wasn’t on.

“It wasn’t just him, Dom Hyam has gone in for a header when he didn’t need to.

“We also had three players out of position in (Luke) Thomas, (Bright) Enobakahre and (Amadou) Bakayoko that have stayed up field when we need to make sure we are in position and solid.”