Gills Manager declares himself pleased with weekend's performance..
Martin Allen says the three points gained against Bristol Rovers on Saturday provides `another step forward` for the club.
Gillingham netted four without reply against Mark McGhee’s side with Danny Kedwell, Charlie Lee and Chris Whelpdale all getting on the score sheet, and Martin was pleased with his side’s performance which kept the club at the top of npower League Two.
He said after the game:
“We played well – it was a fantastic start and the players took the chances when they came and in a funny kind of way it was difficult because when you take the lead so early, as we did at Barnet, you can get complacent.
“You have to keep pushing for more but it was good to keep a clean sheet and score four goals and sometimes that’s worth an extra point – its good news.
“Its another big step for the club – not just the three points but the extra goals and a clean sheet is a big bonus and I’ve said to the players that could be important when it comes to next March and getting promotion.
“We could have beaten Chesterfield aswell, we should have done but that’s life. We will have slip ups when we have the odd draw on the way but we keep going.”
Martin praised the atmosphere inside the dressing room and concedes it is tricky picking a starting line-up given the strength in depth that he has available to him.
He said: “It’s a nice problem but I don’t lose any sleep over it – Strevens came on and did really well for the team, Birchall was outstanding in training the other day and Kedwell along with Burton led the line well.
“It’s a good overall atmosphere and the players are full of respect for each other and I think they understand it’s not easy to pick a starting 11 so I just do the best I can do.
“Everyone wants to play – we tried to play some good football in the second half and retain possession. I think the supporters loved it, I loved it and some of the younger players have taken another step forward.”
Martin touched on the individual performances of debutant David Wright and substitute Myles Weston before going on to mention the game against Southend this coming Tuesday.
He said: “Wright is here to help us keep clean sheets. He’s wise, sensible and a good lad – all the players like him and he’s there to do an efficient, effective job and he did it really well and I’m pleased for him.
“Isn’t it great to be able to put him [Weston] on? He’s a threat and he could have had three goals in the second half but we have a lot of good players and it makes things very difficult for me.
“Southend are no mugs and Paul Sturrock always puts together good teams – they got to the play-offs last season, it should be a pretty good match for us to challenge a team like that and we need to really make our mark against some of these teams who will be up near the top.
“There should be a big crowd but I’ve told the players they will need to do better – we will need to pass quicker and faster because Southend are a good team and this is the type of game you need to put down a good performance.”