Interim manager Steve Lovell has called for clarity on his own position after Gillingham were hammered 7-2 at home on Saturday.

Oxford United inflicted yet another defeat on a woeful Gills side that have now gone seventeen games without a win.

Having seen the side comfortably beaten at Priestfield, Lovell called for chairman Paul Scally to give him some answers on whether he was still needed at the club, or to get someone else in. Lovell said:

“We have inherited a terrible situation at this football club. We have to raise them. Three weeks we’ve been here – we aren’t miracle workers. The damage has been done.”

“The boys have been hammered this season. People don’t realise how much. It has had a big say on the way they are and it upsets me for me to come in and see that from grown men.”

“It’s a disgrace. I don’t care what I say, I’ll be honest. I’m trying to lift a group of players that have not been treated in the right way as footballers. They are not in a good place, a bad bubble.”

“We’re trying to get them to play and there are signs that things are happening but decisions need to be made from a managerial point of view for the sake of the players. If it’s me, lovely, but if not, let’s get someone in quickly.”

“All I want is a bit of clarity. If it’s me, we will get players in and do what we’re doing and people know I will give everything. If not, fine – but it needs to be done quickly for us to have a chance.”

“It’s hurting me tremendously. I’m getting abused by supporters who don’t know me and it’s not fair. Do I need it? No. But all I want is a chance. If not, let somebody else do it. I won’t keep getting abused.”

“I could walk away. I just want some clarity on what’s going on. That’s something I deserve. I’ve come to try and help. If it’s not me, please tell me so I can get on with my life. Tell me as soon as possible.”

“Someone needs to come in soon because the window shuts. If it’s me, I’ll try and get players in but if not they need to come in and help these boys. I’ve had no indication at all.”

“I’ve asked Paul Scally and he said it’s on a game-by-game basis. But now, for everybody, give us a bit of clarity on what is going to be done because this can’t go on. If you don’t know who your manager is, how the heck are you going to perform?”

“I understand fans’ frustrations in football performance but not from the chants. The really don’t realise how much work Paul Scally does for this football club. It’s wrong for them to have a go – he has kept this club afloat.”

“I am a fan but to have a go personally at Paul Scally is so wrong. If they’re going to take it out on anymore, take it out on the players, not Mr Scally. The club would not exist without him.”

“For me to be blamed for something I’m trying to overturn is wrong. They don’t realise how many hours I’m putting in. Not just me, but everybody.”

“You can’t apologise because we don’t lose games 7-2 on purpose. We don’t mean to. We need to hopefully get a result on Tuesday and if we do the fans might be happy again.”

“Everybody at the club needs a lift, including me. That will come with a managerial announcement for me and for them. I don’t know if I will be here on Tuesday, but I think I should know. We need a structure.”

“I need direction. I’ll speak to the chairman and I’m going to have to ask him questions because I feel it needs to be done for the sake everybody, but mainly the players. There have to be changes made by Monday.”

“We have lists and lists of players that are targets. If I’m here Monday I’ll be working hard to try and get them in. But it needs to be done.”

“Conor Masterson will be definitely involved on Tuesday, definitely. John Akinde and Rhys Bennett weren’t my kind of players and they weren’t going to be starting and they wanted to play games so it was best they went.”

“There could be a few more going out but I’m not aware of offers. I don’t get into that, it’s what the chairman wants to do. I’ll have my say after today and we’ve always been fair and honest but clarity is important.”

“I just want to help this football club and help everybody get out this mess. Hopefully we have enough games to do it but it needs to be done soon.”

Meanwhile, Lovell has been critical of the performance his side put in:

“The first three goals are ridiculous, the first one in particular. You’re 3-0 down to start the game. Second half the boys had a go but within two minutes it’s a penalty.”

“The goals that we’ve given away are ridiculous defensively but you have to keep working. We take the positives – Oxford are a good side and if you give them the goals you have no chance.”

“They aren’t terrible players but they have to work harder. Why does it take 45 minutes to start? The same at Wigan. You can’t give teams starts and they need to learn from it. You can work all week but if it doesn’t happen on the pitch you have no chance.”

“The penalties are ridiculous. They are all our fault. I never give in – I will keep working, Crewe is a massive game. To turn the season around is a big ask. It has to be done quickly.”

“The referee could have given us a couple of penalties today. In general play it was closer but it’s about momentum. The game was done and dusted at 3-0, but credit to the boys for having a go.”

Whether Lovell stays at Gillingham now is anyone’s guess. Only one man knows and that is chairman Paul Scally.