Skipper determined to achieve promotion....
Adam Barrett admits that the Gills are `there to be shot at` being top of the league, but believes if the players play to their maximum they can come out of Saturday’s game against Morecambe with three points.
The Shrimps visit MEMS Priestfield on Saturday with the Gills five points clear at the top of the league, and Barrett says the players need to be focussed as teams will approach the game knowing there is no pressure on them.
He said: “Teams are looking at us differently and the pressure is off them and they are giving it a go – we’ve seen that in the past couple of weeks. We are the ones to be shot at and they’ll come here Saturday and make it difficult for us.
“We will have to be top of our game and give them the respect they deserve but if we play to our ability and how we know we can do we are looking to win and get the three points.”
Barrett will go into the game having signed a new contract with the club – he has penned a deal which will keep him at Priestfield until the end of the 2014/15 season and says part of his decision to stay was based on how comfortable he is being near his family.
He said: “I have two young children and I didn’t want to be moving here, there and everywhere and I’m happy at the football club.
“I’m hungry to be successful and there are still things in the game that I want to achieve. For the family it’s nice because dad is at home but now I can get on with the football.
“I had a few fantastic years at Southend where we got back to back promotions and personally things went very well for me there. It does make a difference when you’re happy – I was at Bournemouth last year and was away from my family for long periods and I wasn’t as happy but I still feel I have a lot to offer.
“I feel good, the team is playing well and the challenge is there to get us promoted which drives you on and I’m hungry to get success.”
Finally Barrett responded to a quote from the Chairman Paul Scally when he said the defender reminded him of former Gills legend Guy Butters.
He replied: “I’ll take that as a compliment! Guy was a tremendous player and I played against him many a time. He was a big lad, I’m perhaps a bit more mobile but that’s nice.”