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Jim Bentley gives ‘defeatist’ interview as Gillingham put more misery on bottom club Rochdale

Jim Bentley gives what a reporter labelled a ‘defeatist’ interview as Gillingham put more misery on bottom club Rochdale on Saturday.

Gillingham boosted their hopes of survival and delivered a devastating blow to Rochdale with a 2-0 win over Spotland, leading to boos from the home fans come full time.

The first of two goals came in the 23rd minute, with Robbie McKenzie’s left-hand delivery falling into the six yard area, Oli Hawkins was on hand to send the ball past Richard O’Donnell.

Scott Quigley saw his effort go wide from a promising spot for the hosts, then Toby Mullarkey was in the right place with a 20-yard save by Glenn Morris.

The second half began with more fight from Rochdale, Morris keeping out a header by Ian Henderson and a shot from Quigley, while Mullarkey’s left-footed cross struck the crossbar.

Gillingham doubled their lead in the 75th minute following a well-executed move, with the Gills accelerating forward as Rochdale tried to find an equaliser. Tom Nichols broke into the area on the right and fired towards the bottom corner. Eastwood was left rooted in his spot as the ball reached the bottom corner with Lapslie having the final touch to direct the ball into the back corner from the six-yard box.

Conor Masterson made a great goal-saving tackle that prevented a nervy end to the game. The hosts looked to be in a favourable position due to a misplaced pass at the halfway line. The ball was sent in Henderson’s direction, who seemed to have ample time to shoot. Masterson, slid in to win the ball back from the forward.

Speaking after the game, Jim Bentley commented: “If I’m being honest, I thought we were in the game.

“But we’ve conceded soft goals again. We know the threat they have is coming. It looks like we’ve got two players going for one ball and Hawkins taps it in. It’s poor defending.

“We can go on about formations, players and things like that. This is the same team that gave a real good account of themselves last Saturday and should have won the game.

“We’ve tried different things, personnel, formation, set plays, but the goal we concede is an Achilles heel, the second one, we probably should have scored at other end before they got in.

“We created opportunities but we’re not hitting the target or getting the final pass right. If you look at possession and shots, we’ll probably come out on top, but we lose the game 2-0.

“It all boils down to the fact we haven’t been good enough. I took over the club in a difficult position, we’ve tried our best, but we haven’t been good enough, and that’s why we’re losing games.”

It is worth watching the interview, in full, below…

Gillingham boss Neil Harris said, as per KentOnline: “It was a professional display against a team that are fighting for their lives and who had to beat us to try and catch us.

“We knew they would scrap and fight and we knew they could play it up to (strikers) Scott Quigley and Ian Henderson and do that well and they could also make some passes, a team that has been really unlucky to be where they are in the league.

“We knew we would have to do the basics really well in the conditions as well [it was a wet day in Lancashire]. I am really pleased with the players, their attitude and mentality, the players that came into the team were very good and lads who came out of the team were even better because they understand I have to rotate.

“We scored good goals, at key moments, first half we were excellent, we took care of the ball when we had it. Second half we turned it over too cheaply and when they threw caution to the wind and put four or five players in their front line against our back four then it became difficult on the overload.

“It was a strong display and I said to the lads we are very 45 minutes, 45 minutes we were excellent, second 45 not so good. (Against) Mansfield (we were) okay for 45-50 minutes, not the rest, Grimsby poor first half and very good second and so on. We have to change that 45-50-minute mentality to 55-60 and build it up until we become the finished article.”

Twitter users reacted as Jim Bentley gives a ‘defeatist’ interview as Gillingham put more misery on League Two‘s bottom club Rochdale…

@krish0w: Jesus Christ don’t bother listening to this unless you wanna feel 100 times worse.

@TomGo1die: If you’re gonna sack him, just please do it after Tuesday 🙏🏼

@ChrisBa05163516: Keep the faith. Hope you stay up so we can play each other next season. From a happy Stanley fan after todays result

@Billdaz: He brings nothing to the table for me. If the board watch that 8:30 clip and think he’s the man to turn this round, I’d love to know why. That said it’s not just Jim’s fault, I think the rot runs deep. Feel for the diehards turning up every week.

@DunkinD88902615: We’ve showed em and everyfin. We went through the analysis. But it’s our Achilles heel and it’s the same thing every week.

@RochdaleFan: That 8 minute and 35 seconds interview should alone get Bentley the sack. How can a manager that sounds defeated inspire a squad? Just do the right thing Bentley – Accept you are not up for the job and walk.

@CraigSimOAFC: Another manager that talks bolloxs

@Eden34370659: Don’t even want to hear what he’s got to say

@MattyK988: The fans thoughts on todays game 🗣️ shite and we want Bentley out

@Travisedgee: Walk

@rochdale_afc32: LEAVE FOR YOUR OWN GOOD

@chrisjbaines22: Bentley out

@Ben_m_1234: Bentley Out, clueless!

@Mikeyt_78991: The tracking back for that 2nd goal tells me everything about this team, lazy, gutless, and weak, don’t tell me this lot are giving it 100%, bullshit.

@RyLockett97: Someone put him out of his misery. Never heard a more depressed manager in my life.

@marksweetmore: Bentley took over and we were one point from 22nd. 6 months later we are six points from 22nd. In the main this IS his team. Its HIS tactics, HIS game management, HIS attitude. Sadly, it doesn’t sound like a man about to do what we, rhe fans, see as the ‘right thing’. #RAFC

@CMaynock: Time to accept the inevitable, plan now for non league play the kids

@Shadowkilla1183: “I’m crap but won’t admit it”

@Gdawgwoof: I bet the investors are lining up. The can use my season ticket for the rest of the year if they like

@chrisjbaines22: get Bentley out if we want any chance of staying up. not his fault but have to risk someone else

@Weekes17: Can we sign 10 more @MullarkeyToby please? Give us a fighting chance.

@MessyRAFC: 100 years in the EFL. For what?

@Runner_Akie: Players just dont even look interested and hardly battled for anything today, truly embarrassing that they’re paid to represent this club.

@FranceOAFC: I’ve checked your fixtures …. I sadly feel that Crawley away could be your next point ….you are on a very bad run , you need a change …don’t bring Hill in !! good luck for the run in …

@IPolglase: Get him gone board, or do the right thing and resign Bentley. the final nail is almost in the coffin now. Hanging on by a thread! Only a new manager can perform a miracle. Hope is all we have now. It would be the ultimate Miracle if we stay up now.

@JGriffin1971: No leader on the pitch so we’ll not win many. A recent non league signing proving to be head & shoulders above the rest. Stockdale & the board have killed the club.

@deckardsowl12: Watched two games this season. Watching Odoh and Toums today was something I can say has changed me as a man. I don’t say this lightly. I would rather chop my own flaccid member off, put it in a chip machine, deep fat fry the resulting member chips and eat them without…

@fazzablue: Taking over your town again #oafc

@jon_38dale: Shame on all of you so called professional footballers. Toby is the only one who tried. Shameful

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