Gillingham boss laments "disgraceful" performance ahead of Walsall trip
John Coleman labelled Gillingham's 3-0 defeat at Barrow on Saturday as "one of the worst performances" of his managerial career.
Gillingham travel to League Two leaders Walsall winless in nine league games, with former Accrington Stanley boss Coleman still searching for his first victory since being appointed at the start of last month.
Coleman refused to pull any punches when he addressed the press and accused some of his players of showing a lack of "care" and "responsibility".
He said: "Firstly I'd like to apologise to the fans. They've travelled six hours, paid hard earned money that they've been working hard for all week to see a team just boot the ball forwards with no idea, no passion, no drive, no fight and no desire.
"I would be absolutely livid. I'm livid myself with the lack of responsibility they've shown to the fans. I think it's been an absolute disgrace.
"Everything we worked on in training was very promising and very positive. I went into this game (at Barrow) super confident and it evaporates when players just don't seem to want to care.
"I've been managing 25 years, I've got to say that that is up there with one of the worst feelings I've had as a manager but also one of the worst performances I've seen from many of my teams.
"I apologise to the fans for not toughening this team up. Make no bones about it, the gloves are off now."
Gillingham, who sit 19th-place, are the third-lowest goal scorers in the division with a tally of 25, and suffered a double injury blow in attack last week.
Marcus Wylie has been ruled out for six weeks and the club are also awaiting scan results for Josh Andrews who is yet to play under Coleman due to injury.
