Gillingham manager Martin Allen said he believes Town are not “a team of real quality” after the Blues beat his side 2-1 at the Priestfield Stadium last night. First-year pro David October smashed home an injury time winner to grab the victory.

Allen told Kent Online that the scoreline was unfair on his League One team: “The goal at the end did take the shine off it and I don’t think that was a fair reflection of the way the game was.

“I was just disappointed for the lads who were on for those final 20 minutes. They ran themselves into the ground and it was a big night for them to play in such a game for the first team. It was good to see some of our younger players out there.”

He added: “I thought it was a great game and we played really well. We had some good possession in the first half and I think they had one little melee of chances, where Stuart Nelson made some good saves and they showed a bit of quality to score from their freekick.

“I thought overall in the first half we played very well. We changed a little bit in the second half, played a bit of a different way, which created a lot of pressure and we scored a great goal. We were then looking for the winner and I was delighted with all of them.”

Allen, who led the Gills to the League Two title last season, didn’t appear overly impressed with the Blues: “I have to be honest, I don’t view Ipswich as having a team of real quality. I don’t mean that in any disrespect to Mick McCarthy or their players or supporters.

“For me, personally, I believe our players are quality. For me we are better than them without a shadow of a doubt.”

Photo: Action Images

menacinho added 13:47 - Jul 17 What a thing to say after a friendly! Mr Allen, you really are a colossal berk.
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Hegansheroes added 13:54 - Jul 17 Some really dim comments here. We are not a team of real quality and never will be under MM. What we will be is team of grafters, fit and hard to beat, unfortunately the Championship is like that and few teams get promoted playing pretty football. Cardiff and Hull were hardly quality [I see Hull coming straight back down under Bruce]. I am pleased MM is looking to get in some good youngsters who can become quality players but will they still be at Ipswich. Martin Allen did say some silly things how ever.

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linesyrules added 13:59 - Jul 17 As a town fan who lives in Cheltenham I can honestly say do not take on board anything this idiot has to say. When we was Cheltenham manager he got sacked for being a complete idiot, nobody respects him or his stupid comments. Honestly the bloke is a massive moron and ultimately a poor tactical coach.
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JustSpivvyChops added 14:21 - Jul 17 He's right of course, we aren't a team of quality and neither are we a hard working team.......we have no identity and no hope of success with the levels of investment given to MM. Another season of lower to mid table dreary crap ahead.
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LankHenners added 14:38 - Jul 17 The word sore loser is used a lot these days... ...and for a good reason! "For me we are better than them without a shadow of a doubt.” Ok, why are you in league 1 then Mr Allen? Also, how come we beat you? He obviously thinks we put out our strongest team and went full out to win. Please, please let us draw them in the cup and tear them to shreds!
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Brockleyblue added 15:01 - Jul 17 "we are better than them without a shadow of a doubt". So that's why Ipswich Town play in the Championship and Gillingham play in League 1? Martin Allen, not exactly the brightest button in the box.
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WickedBlue added 15:28 - Jul 17 Didn't realise he was a stand up comic. Well not a very good standup comic.
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Lightningboy added 15:35 - Jul 17 Stupid comments from a stupid person. It's pre-season moron..we're still experimenting, as are all teams at the moment...give me strength!
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AbujaBlue added 16:41 - Jul 17 Nothing like a stupid insult to rally the troops (both players and supporters) before the start of season. I for one am pleased. Now lets prove him spectacularly wrong.
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thebeat added 17:05 - Jul 17 Who is this Martin Allen fellow? Oh yes thats rite a division 4 no mark douchebag i remember now
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jas0999 added 17:06 - Jul 17 It was a pre-season friendly, which according to Gillingham's live text, saw Ipswich, 'knocking the ball around well'. According to other reports, we actually looked good! Sour grapes.
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debenturedave added 17:17 - Jul 17 Mad Dog.... Mad Muppet !!
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tractorblue added 17:18 - Jul 17 Oh Dear,yet again Martin Allen and his BIG mouth,what a spoon,pre-season freindlies are just a fitness thing,just getting ready for the big kick off on Saturday August 3rd,and i have to agree,who is Martin Allen anyway,a man who has had many jobs in football,and failed nearly everywhere,what a loser,pathetic.
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 17:44 - Jul 17 Just a mad dog barking in the midday sun.
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h32 added 17:45 - Jul 17 ....... you can't knock the man for being honest and having an opinion - equally so he may not be far off the mark with his comments. End of Season League position 2013/14 - will prove whether we have QUALITY - or not !! - thus being the ultimate acid test. Bet some will even disagree with this - as bizarre as some can be.
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menacinho added 18:20 - Jul 17 h32 - it's not about whether he is right or not (and I think he is very wrong), but it is just plain rude to say such a thing after a friendly. The man has no manners at all.
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chepstowblue added 18:24 - Jul 17 He may or may not be right. Hes always 1 for an unusual remark. You could also say the same for Cardiff,Hull and Crystal Palace but look what can be achieved !
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Rudyard83 added 19:26 - Jul 17 He is a little bit stupid. He is managing a league one team and yet he thinks that they are better than us. All my respect for him has gone.
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RegencyBlue added 19:29 - Jul 17 Martin who?
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warktheline added 20:20 - Jul 17 H32,you always appear when negative remarks are aimed at the club, and add your bit.Sad.
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Lower_North added 21:27 - Jul 17 If he was any 'quality' why his he floundering around with a div 1 side? What a nought..
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Steelmonkey added 21:28 - Jul 17 runningout - rather be a numptie that reacts to unfare criticism than one that doesn't. Missing your picnic at half time are you.
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Umros added 21:36 - Jul 17 What does that say for your team then, beaten by a side low in quality?.................No offence intended.........
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SheptonMalletBlue added 22:01 - Jul 17 Mad Dog, what a tube!!!!! I think the heat has got to you!!!
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BuckieBlue added 22:32 - Jul 17 When I saw headline I thought 'it's unusual to say something like that about an opposing side- publically at any rate,' but then when he says they are better than us- a newly promoted div 2 side v a side in Championship play off form for most of last season.....
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