Feature Interviews, Features

The Midweek Interview with Danni Farmer

Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on September 7, 2011

Gills Captain Danni Farmer looks back over the first three matches of the season in the Midweek Interview.

So far this season the Gills have scored four goals of which Danni and Deanna Cooper have two each.

Looking back on the opening weeks, Danni said: “We were really pleased with the start and by the way in which we won the game versus QPR.

“A lot of people highlighted that it was a game we would have probably lost last season but we showed a lot of character and spirit to turn the game around.

“The last two games have been disappointing really as our failure to deal with set pieces has cost us once again. It is frustrating because we get hurt in nearly every game by a set piece, yet when we score goals they are generally well worked and in play. We created a lot of good chances in the last two games, we just haven’t been able to put it in the net and along with not defending corners we have obviously dropped points.”

Last season Farms was joint top scorer and she is already off the mark this season, but would prefer if they had come in games the Gills had won.

She added: “Obviously scoring goals is nice but unfortunately the games I have scored in we have lost.

“It is positive because last season it took half the season to get my first, but hopefully I can keep popping up, which will help us to get back to winning points again.”

In recent weeks it has been frustrating for the Gills as they haven’t quite got into gear, but Farms believes it will come soon enough.

She said: “The Brighton game was very disappointing as we gave ourselves a really good start by taking the lead, we just didn’t seem to want to finish them off.

“With the Colchester game the sucker punched us with two goals in quick succession and it took us until then before we actually started playing. It is really frustrating because we know that we are a talented bunch, we just need a bit more than that on a Sunday.

“We are not going to win games by being a technically good side all the time; we need a bit of grit and determination. We have had a chat and a few words have been said as a group and I genuinely feel like it will have a positive impact.

“We have a really strong squad and I am pretty sure that the last two games are just a blip in what will be a solid season. As I said we had a chat as a team and a lot was spoken about, and this can only help us in going forwards.”

Luck plays its part in any season and the Gills haven’t quite had their fair share yet, something Danni agrees with but thinks you can’t blame.

She added: “We have been unlucky with a few things and have had a lot of players missing for a number of reasons but we cannot really blame the last two games on that.

“Sunday we had players playing in different positions to what they are used to and at times lack of understanding played a part, but at the same time I feel that we were better than them in terms of possession and creating chances.

“I think we have six players back in contention next weekend for the game against Tottenham so it won’t be a case of players filling spaces. When everyone is back, we will all have to scrap for our places which can only benefit the team.”

Finally, we got the Captain’s thoughts on the new home ground and what it is like to play there this season.

She said: “The surface is brilliant down at Chatham and is always nice to play on. It is obviously huge and probably the biggest pitch we will play on.

“I think we utilize the width pretty well as the stats said in the last game we put in nine crosses compared to their nought, which looks like it could be a positive for us as long as we can start finishing them off.”