Gills Manager looks ahead to Barnet clash...
Gills Manager Martin Allen said his team will need to concentrate on their own game and treat the weekend’s fixture against Barnet in the same way as any other so far this season.
Gillingham are currently top of League Two having registered 10 points in their opening four games, and will play bottom of the league Barnet on Saturday who have yet to record a win.
Martin says his squad are in a good position but says there is room for improvement.
He said: “It’s a good position having played four games and got 10 points, it’s a good tally.
“We have played well in some games and OK in others. In other games we have showed a resilience and strength although not playing as well as we can to get something out of it.
“They are all good traits – we’ve had two hard games away at Wycombe and Dagenham. The opening game of the season is always tough and it can go either way so the Bradford game was a good victory.
“With Chesterfield they finished last season well and with the manager situation it’s always a tough fixture for some strange reason - overall I’m happy with the players and the squad and everyone has contributed to where we are at the moment.”
Despite the good run of form in the league the Gills are out of the Capital One Cup and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after defeat to Crawley on Tuesday, and the manager said although he was disappointed with the result he couldn’t fault his players.
He said: “It’s disappointing because it was a chance and an opportunity for the supporters to go to Wembley, and me of course.
“I wasn’t disappointed with the players – they gave everything they had and we had some young boys out there which was obviously my decision and choice.
“Myles Weston had a heel injury, Deon Burton needed to rest and Danny Kedwell had a hamstring problem which is why he didn’t play. When you are missing those three good players it’s going to be a tough game wherever you go and we need them playing.”
Martin says the mood around the camp now is a positive one, and believes the management and players are working well together to achieve the necessary results.
He said: “All I try to do is be fair to them, I have no favourites and I treat them all with respect, I try to help them and support them. Contrary to belief I try to be fair and reasonable and good to them – I have never dropped anybody, I have just left them out to give others opportunities and there is a mutual respect among the players and the staff.
“I enjoy working with them, they are great people – we have no whingers, nobody has moaned about the extra work they are doing, no one has moaned about coming in on Sundays and I suppose they are enjoying the bonuses they are getting and the rewards they deserve for their wins.”
Martin answered whether being top of the league, even at this early stage, creates pressure. He replied:
“There’s no pressure, that comes when you’re at the bottom and that’s when it isn’t nice when you can’t find a win - little bits go against you such as deflections and decisions. I’ve been in that position and that’s pressure.”
Finally Martin spoke of the new three-year deals that Callum Davies and Bradley Dack have signed in the past week, and believes the future of the club looks bright.
He said: “Those two players, since I have been here, have been superb in training. They are honest, talented, fresh, enthusiastic, good athletes and as a football supporter myself I love it when young players come into the team.”