Mixed feelings for Blues caretaker boss (From Bucks Free Press)

Mixed feelings for Blues caretaker boss

10:40am Sunday 11th October 2009

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BLUES caretaker manager Richard Dobson had mixed emotions after seeing his side defeated by Gillingham.

Although he did “enjoy” his temporary moment in the spotlight, Wanderers' head of youth development added he was “gutted” and “understandably disappointed” to have been beaten 3-2.

Twice the Blues fell behind before equalising, only to be undone with a moment of magic from the Kent side's star striker Simeon Jackson.

But Dobson said his side could have gone on to take all three points after Leon Johnson scored against his former club to make it 2-2 midway through the second half.

He said: “We have showed a bit of character to make it 2-2 and with 15 minutes left I thought we could have nicked one late on. Unfortunately that third goal killed us and we ended up chasing the game.

“The two sides nullified each other and unfortunately it didn't fall our way.

“A draw would have been fair.”

Despite their struggles, Wanderers have not been conceding shedloads of goals – four of the last six games have ended up 1-0.

But Blues are still to keep a clean sheet this season despite setting a new club record for shut-outs last year – and Dobson was disappointed with the manner of the goals his side let in.

He said: “We conceded poor goals at key times in the game. We were looking fairly comfortable before half time and that was a bad time to concede.

“We dug ourselves back into the game and with 15 minutes left I'm thinking we could take something. The crowd were starting to get on their backs and I felt we were in the ascendency.

“The second was a really poor goal. It was a cheap throw-in, the runners were not tracked – this is bog standard defending. You expect people to do that. In our position people have got to take more responsibility for the ugly side of the game.

“We're defending poorly and not tracking runners and it's cost us, not just today, but in recent weeks. That's the difference between the sides. We are conceding too many sloppy goals.”

Dobson admitted to be surprised at being asked to step into the void vacated by Peter Taylor on Friday – with reports today suggesting he was sacked rather than leaving by mutual consent.

He said: “It came out the blue. I found out yesterday morning. You've just got to get on with it. Maybe one day in the future I might get another shot at it.

“I wanted to be more aggressive with our two wide players. It stopped their full backs getting out.

“I have been asked to do a job today and I wanted to lift the club if I could. I did enjoy it, I enjoy working at this level – it's very different to youth team football.

“I have enjoyed working with Peter Taylor. He's been very good to me and I'm disappointed things have changed at the club.”

But he said he is looking at getting back to his regular job – starting with the reserves in midweek.

Dobson said: “Hopefully there will be someone in place during the week. I have got to think about the reserve team on Tuesday night. Beyond that, I don't know.

“The new man will try and bring them out of themselves. It's quite clear the players are lacking confidence. They tend to enjoy the games a little bit more when they play with a bit more freedom.”

Skipper Michael Duberry added the players were just as surprised at hearing the news of Taylor's departure.

He said: “It was a shock. People say 'look at the results' but considering the manager got us promoted last year it hasn't gone right for us. We were very surprised the manager was released.

“We reacted very well considering it was such short notice. The players reacted in a good way and showed a bit of fight but some of the bad habits that got us in the bottom two crept back in.”

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