Blues first-team coach Matt Gill felt on another day Town would have won Saturday’s 0-0 home draw with Oxford and was delighted with the performances of James Wilson and Keanan Bennetts, who returned after lengthy spells out, as well as with midfield duo Andre Dozzell and Teddy Bishop, and strike pair James Norwood and Troy Parrott.

“On another day you go away and win it,” Gill said. “I think that [there were plenty of] chances created, as well as another clean sheet, which is good, I think that’s three clean sheets in the last four.

“I think now it’s just about keeping that defensive solidity about us and making sure we’re taking advantage at the other end.”

Wilson was playing his first game since the Lincoln trip on October 24th having suffered a knee problem which eventually required surgery.

Gill was delighted with the 31-year-old’s display: “Willo did great. Obviously he’s a really experienced lad, he trains well, once he’d got back from his operation and his rehab he’s been desperate to play a part in turning the season around a little bit. Willo did great, so I was really pleased for him.”

Winger Bennetts, who is on loan with the Blues for the season from Borussia Mönchengladbach, last played on December 15th against Burton when he suffered a groin injury.

“Really pleased with Keanan after the weekend,” Gill continued. “He had to be really patient after his injury but it’s good to have him back in and around it.

“What I like is he’s got courage, I think he wants to take people on. It’s a pity the fans aren’t in, but he wants to excite fans, he wants to be attacking and I really like that bravery about him.

“And I think that’s what this next stage is going to be about, about having players that are brave enough to try and make things happen. Don’t worry about giving possession away, going and receiving the ball again and taking the game to the opposition really, and that’s what I like about Keanan.”

Gill was also pleased with the way Bishop and Dozzell combined in the centre of midfield playing slightly differently to in previous games with Parrott ahead of them in a more attacking role.

“They’ve done great, really pleased with the pair of them, playing in a slightly different way on Saturday in a two-man midfield,” he said. “They both did really well with that, on both sides of the game, in possession and out.

“I think they were both quite dogged out of possession and I think everyone knows how much quality they’ve got in possession. It was good to see the two of them performing well.”

Norwood came closest to winning it for the Blues when he hit the post in the second half and the former Tranmere man put in a lively display.

Gill is pleased to see the striker, who has struggled with a hamstring problem all season, back involved and looking sharper.

“I think having that competition for places will only make us stronger between now and the end of the season,” he said. “Having more people to choose from, more people in form. I think it’ll really help going forward.”

Norwood managed 80 minutes against the U’s, longer than he’s played in previous games but tired towards the end of his time on the field, and Gill says it’s not too much of a concern that the frontman isn’t finishing games at present

“I don’t think so, Aaron [Drinan] came on at the weekend,” he said. “We’re asking our front players to put in a helluva shift and modern day centre forwards, they’ll pretty much work really, really hard for the team out of possession and in possession. I’m not convinced there are too many that play a full 90 and can do it every week.

“Nors is desperate to play 90 minutes and he’s quite capable of doing that. I just think we have to be careful in the way we manage certain players at the moment.”

He felt Norwood combined well with Parrott, who was playing just behind him against Oxford for the first time against Oxford.

“Good players can combine,” he said. “Obviously both want to score goals, both want to get on the ball and it looked a decent partnership at the weekend.”

Photo: Matchday Images

RobTheMonk added 10:18 - Feb 22 On another day you lose it. On another day it's still a draw. On another day I poo myself.
3

bobble added 10:20 - Feb 22 not only is he ugly , he is stupid
-6

aas1010 added 10:20 - Feb 22 Blah blah blah blah blah . Lambert and Gill 🪓🪓
0

SamWhiteUK added 10:21 - Feb 22 Coulda woulda shoulda. STFU Gill
2

bluejacko added 10:22 - Feb 22 Yet more utter drivel,trouble is they think we actually believe it.
1

Portman_Pie added 10:22 - Feb 22 But we don't want you here on another day... Not a single day more of your garbage that you and the other 2 clowns spout.
1

Pencilpete added 10:24 - Feb 22 As Big Mick used to say "if my Aunty had balls she'd be my Uncle" !!!
4

grumpyoldman added 10:27 - Feb 22 Bluejacko problem is some people do!
0

DifferentGravy added 10:27 - Feb 22 HA! RobTheMonk that comment made me laugh out loud!
0

DifferentGravy added 10:27 - Feb 22 HA! RobTheMonk that comment made me laugh out loud!
0

wkj added 10:28 - Feb 22 Why on earth is Gill doing the pressers now? What exactly IS Lambert doing at the club now other than his national press tour about how good he thinks Lambert is?
-1

TimmyH added 10:30 - Feb 22 And that 'day' would have been many years ago when we had far more clinical players, I think we've got a total of 7 goals from strikers this season which is pathetic...I'm not sure what's worse the football on the pitch or the spin off it!
4

hoppy added 10:34 - Feb 22 On another day we have a different manager.
3

brazil1981 added 10:41 - Feb 22 More of this constant spin from the management team since Saturday trying to convince us it was an amazing performance! Yes it was slightly better than the awful show against Northampton, but we drew 0-0 at home against an average League One team...hardly much to excited about and we now even further away from the play-offs!
0

meekreech added 11:00 - Feb 22 I'm convinced that there is something in the water at Playford road and Portman road for all of the staff and players to be on a different planet judging by their output in the media. Either that or they are all given a script as they turn up. Perhaps it is a condition that they are obliged to spout this rubbish to collect their pay! I am looking to put the squad numbers in a bag to draw the team for tomorrow as I cannot make a bigger botch up than is the norm. It is beginning to feel that this season is over except for a worry regarding possible relegation with a lack of goals.

1

90z added 11:00 - Feb 22 Making yourselves look stupid now with all this nonsense. You seem to think us fans are clueless 😴😴
4

SouperJim added 11:13 - Feb 22 Who's doing the press stuff for Hull, the kit man? Ball boy? A passing stranger? Lambert is a coward.
-1

Suffolkboy added 11:23 - Feb 22 How come we can now play different systems ? Why have we waited so long ?Why isn't the Manager doing the explanations and reviews ? Too much is simply appearing as unattractive total flannel !! COYB
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norfolkbluey added 11:30 - Feb 22 As an ancient fan who has seen it all before some of the comments on here about what a person looks like is nearly as bad as some of the delusional comments coming from the training staff. We have had terrible injury problems but that's not the main issue with the loses endured. That's down to training and tactics. We have the right players but not the team understanding to play for each other. I know we are no Man City but looking at the way they work for each other intuitively is breathtaking and that's down to training. So unless that changes I have a horrible feeling about the Hull game. I hope I'm wrong. COYB

0

LondonBlue73 added 11:38 - Feb 22 POSITIVE NEWS I have heard on good authority that the Cowleys have rejected a job back in to management as they have spoken to Ipswich and want to see what transpires at Portman Road. This is from someone in the club that they have rejected. Maybe this will play out soon and whilst we have a chance of the playoffs. Fingers crossed. I'd rather Howe but don't think he will drop down, possibly Pearson as I think he won't do bull sh1t. However I'd take the Cowley brothers. What do others think. This makes more sense to me than a takeover though I'd love that too.

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Pilgrimblue added 11:45 - Feb 22 I don't think much of Gill. As Coach there seems to be very little evidence that the team are playing to any system plus dead ball kicking are still poor. Other teams may have smaller budgets/squads but they still are set up properly. At this rate we'll be lucky to keep our position at 12th. Next two games will be interesting!
0

dirtydingusmagee added 12:24 - Feb 22 i know someone who knows someone and he knows someone else and they say, bla bla bla bla. Anyway i dont think the Cowleys are all they are pumped up to be by some on here, Lincoln not doing bad without them .They havnt even been with huge clubs or German clubs lol. Anyway at this moment in time Lambert is still here, The ''gunfight'' face to face , may not bring the resullt we hope for , the way Evan's performs we may see O'Neil sent out to announce Lambert has full backing and another extension to his contract .

2

Sixto6 added 12:30 - Feb 22 Do they realise we can watch the matches on iFollow ? And although most of us haven't played for some BIG clubs.... we actually know quite a bit about football ! WE KNOW THAT WE ARE A POOR TEAM WITH NO CHANCE OF PROMOTION UNDER THE CURRENT REGIME !!!! I'd rather they say nothing if this is the best they can dream up !
0

blue86 added 12:55 - Feb 22 Shut up gill, your boring.
-2

MonkeyAlan added 13:27 - Feb 22 Get out and take Lambert, O Neill, Taylor and Evans with you. No one cares anymore. You have all ruined this club.
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