Leam reflects on good performance but disappointing result at Priestfield.

Leam Richardson | “Lads couldn’t have given me any more”
Leam reflects on Wigan Athletic’s 1-0 defeat to Gillingham
Richardson: “We know the challenge that is ahead and we will keep rolling our sleeves up to tackle that.”

Leam Richardson praised his players for standing up to Gillingham’s challenge at Priestfield Stadium on Wednesday evening but acknowledged the final touch let his side down as they lost 1-0 in Kent.

Latics had numerous chances to score against Steve Evans’s side, though they couldn’t find a goal, which cost them as Vadaine Oliver headed in a late winner.

Reflecting after the first game under the ownership of Phoenix 2021 Limited post-match on Latics TV, Richardson said:

“First and foremost, the elation is there following the takeover by good people, people who want to take the club in the right direction that the fans and the history of the football club deserves.

“I have to say – with the emotion still inside me – that I am very proud of the lads with how they dealt with certain styles of play within the game. I thought we stood up like men and the quality came from us; we had a few chances to win a couple of game but, in the end, we succumbed to one too many balls in our box and we’ve fallen on the wrong side of the result.

“We know the challenge that is ahead and we will keep rolling our sleeves up to tackle that.

“Straight away after the game there are a lot of emotions and people will have opinions of certain things but one thing I will say is that the lads couldn’t have given any more tonight.

“I did feel we had some great quality but without that final bit of calmness in the final third – if we’d have score one, we have scored two or three.

“The longer you give these types of teams that kind of impetus that one ball in your box might hurt you, they’re always a threat and fair credit to Gillingham for that.

“We had to meet them head on with what they’ve got; Steve [Evans] plays a certain way and balls come into your box from different angles – not many players take too many touches and they put you under pressure and you have to deal with it.

“We had to play with two personalities; one out of possession and then a calmness in possession and through the gaps. In large parts, I thought we did it very well but we were just missing that calmness and bit of quality.”

Latics now have eight games to produce a remarkable survival with all things considered and Richardson says the focus hasn’t changed, despite defeat at Priestfield and the positive news off the pitch.

“The focus has been on trying to stay in this league all the way through,” Richardson added. “We know the challenge. We are where we are, we can’t get any outside help, it is on us now and we’re willing to fight the full distance.

“We have felt the fans’ support from the donations, the support on social media, Latics TV and we know how much this means to the fans. I think they can appreciate how many times these different lads have been thrown together, with a skeleton staff – we have spoken about it so many times – and all we can be is dead honest and represent ourselves, the club and town as best as possible and I thought we did that tonight and we will continue to that in the remaining eight games.”

Leam Richardson | “Lads couldn’t have given me any more”