Gills striker says players are determined to remain top...
Danny Kedwell says this weekend’s game against Rotherham presents a great chance for the Gills to re-assert themselves as the team to beat in npower League Two.
The Gills striker was speaking after coming off at half time during the development squad’s game against Watford at MEMS Priestfield on Tuesday, and says he is raring to go if selected this weekend.
Talking exclusively to the club’s official website he said:
“It hasn’t been happening in the last couple of weeks but it’s a good game to go and get a win and get back on track again.
“They [Rotherham] are sitting there on a high and we want to get back to what we were doing early on that put us top of the league with the way we were playing.
“We have been unlucky in the last couple of weeks but the team spirit is great. Everyone goes through a little blip and I’m glad it’s now and hopefully we can get back on track as soon as possible.”
Kedwell very nearly scored during the game on Tuesday evening which saw Mark Patterson’s side defeated 4-1 after an impressive performance which saw a lot of younger players feature, and the centre forward says it was wise for him to miss the Accrington game two weeks ago so he could fully recover from his injury.
He said: “I definitely needed it as I haven’t played a lot for the last couple of weeks so it was nice to get 45 minutes under my belt ready for Saturday.
“I’m 100% fit; I had a little niggle at Accrington. I could have played but the manager said he would rather I had missed the game instead of risk it and perhaps miss a couple of weeks which is understandable and it could have happened.
“He rested me but I’m back to 100% now, I’ve trained for the last week and came off the bench on Saturday and got 45 minutes Tuesday so it’s all good.”
Kedwell says he believes he has played well so far this season but was keen to emphasise that it is a team game and everyone needs to work together if they are to achieve their long term goals.
He said: “I think I’ve done OK, I’m top goal scorer and I know I haven’t scored many from open play. However it’s not about me, it’s about the team and that’s why we are top of the league. It isn’t about individuals, it’s a team game and individuals don’t win you leagues.
“I’ve scored 11 goals, with seven penalties, but I’m happy with my performances so far. I’ve helped the team in defending too and working hard for the side so I’m happy.
“It’s very important and through Christmas we want to stay at the top to give us a celebration on Christmas Day. We have a couple of tough games on Boxing Day and on the 29th and we just need to get back performing and getting wins.”
The striker said it was an enjoyable experience to play with some of the younger players during the Watford game and says everybody involved is still learning the game on a daily basis.
He added: “It’s great experience for them and it’s nice to sit in there with them. They take on board everything and they listen very well and they are very good players and they will progress and have a good career.
“Some of the forwards ask about standing positions and things like that, they come down to the training ground and watch what our movement is like. Everyone is still learning and the more we can learn the better we will be.”