Features, Ian Varley

Varley: I am extremely disappointed

Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on October 25, 2010

Manager Ian Varley was left extremely disappointed after his sides defeat to Queens Park Rangers on Sunday afternoon.

Having had two good wins in recent weeks it was unfortunate that the Gills slipped up to a side that hadn’t won at all yet this season.

Talking after the game, Ian said: “I am extremely disappointed as I was hoping that we could go on a bit of a run.

“After our win against Brighton I firmly believed that we would do by picking up the points today. Football isn’t that simple though and it has left me very disappointed.

“In truth we shouldn’t really have let them get the win. In my eyes we have gifted them the three points as we defended poorly at times and weren’t clinical in front of goal.

“In the first half I was delighted as some of the football and possession we had was fantastic. Farms, Muggers and Dan C ran the midfield and created numerous openings but we just lacked that cutting edge in the penalty box.

“Having said that to lose the goal as we did when we were dominating the game was hard to take. I have always said in women’s football going a goal down it is very difficult to come back from and win the game. The first goal is key.”

Despite the defeat it is important not to lose sight that this is the Ladies debut season in the Southern Premiership. It was always going to be a learning curve for both players and manager alike something Ian agrees with.

He added: “We are still new to this level and personally I am learning all the time. I hear everywhere we go that we have the best squad in the League. That is probably true but at times that causes its own problems.

“We have some very big characters and for me on occasions we are not playing as a team, we are not fighting for each other which is something that concerns me.”

The one thing that is concerning the manger more than most at the moment is his side’s lack of consistency.

He said: “That is the key for me. If any team puts a run together they will be up there. The results this week were crazy and that’s the sort of League it is.”

The manager has gambled in recent weeks with team selection and admits when it is working things are good and when they don’t you face questions.

He added: “I put the best team out that I feel will win the game. Some of my players think they are better than what they actually are. It is important we get the right 11 players on the pitch that are going to work and have the quality to win the game.”