Steve Evans says he’s happy with his players’ performance against Welling but won’t be rushed to join the group.
Steve Evans said he was “very pleased” with the performance of his signings after a scoring friendly against Welling United on Saturday. Gillingham put on a different team in each half, using members of the first team, including all six newcomers, as well as a handful of young players.
Danny Lloyd, Vadaine Oliver and John Akinde scored the goals for the Gills in the suspenseful 3-3 thriller starring the Wings, managed by former Gills striker and manager Steve Lovell, with Akinde arriving in the last minute of the game.
Evans said after the game: “We are happy with certain things and not so happy with others. We started and finished the first half very well, but we got a bit sloppy in the full-back and central midfield.
“We are easy at the moment, we know that, but we will not sign. We will find players who can help the group. Chapman commanded in the gate, no problems. Of all the newcomers, Danny Lloyd was probably the spark. He’s a goalscorer and a very good player. He gives everything and our supporters will love this child.
“Ben Reeves had a wonderful pass in the last minute to bring Akinde in to equalize late. We can see how David Tutonda will play when he gets a little sharper and understands how we play even more. “
Evans admits that there is little room for error in recruiting and it will take all of his experience carefully to choose which players to add to the group.
He said, “We tried to be busy all summer. What we tried is good value for money. We lost some of what is well documented. We lost some because people came out with their checkbooks. If they do that and offer 70-80 or £ 100,000 more than we offer, then we know what is going to happen.
“There are other good players on the market, others are looking for the right club and we have to do our business properly for the next four weeks. As I said last year, if we don’t get our recruitment right, you suffer for the season, but with our recruitment so far, I haven’t been disappointed by any player. “
