Boss on draw in difficult conditions
There are no easy games, John Still says.
Gateshead away in monsoon-like conditions are usually the toughest of the tough.
So after a 500-mile round-trip, a point gained at the in-form Tynesiders was a massive plus for the boss.
“I don’t just think it was tough opponents, I think it was a tough day all round and that was as bad conditions as I can remember a team playing in,” he said afterwards.
“It was really, really difficult with the wind. It was so strong and then the rain lashed in the second half. So, away from home, to a team that’s in good form, that was a terrific performance in terms of discipline and organisation.
“As I say to the players, you’ve got to play games in all conditions against all teams at all times of the year and that was a classic example of that.
“It was horrific conditions, on a decent pitch, and the pitch was quite firm which made the water lie on the surface at the end.
“I don’t believe there’s a massive difference away from home, but when you’ve travelled as far as we’ve travelled and played in conditions we’ve played, us soft southerners, weren’t too soft.”
The point extended the Town’s unbeaten run to 10 games – nine of which have come in the Skrill Premier.
On the result itself, Still added: “The most important thing when you go and play games is you get something from the game.
“As long as your form is consistent, you can play a game where you don’t play great and you get something from it and you’re delighted because your general form is consistent.
“If conditions were better, there might have been a goal or two in it, but it wasn’t to be. There were a couple of chances for both teams. Luke Guttridge had two good opportunities for us, but to put on a performance like that for both teams in those conditions, I’m delighted.”