Martin delighted with work ethic of players as focus turns to final home league game
Martin Allen has said next Saturday’s game against AFC Wimbledon at MEMS Priestfield could be the biggest of his footballing career.
The Gills need one point from their next two matches in order to be crowned league champions, and Martin is hopeful the club can secure the title at home in six days’ time.
Following the 1-0 defeat at Cheltenham he said: “We will continue to do what we have been doing all season in preparing them, helping them, supporting them, guiding them, looking after them and without a shadow of a doubt next Saturday will be the biggest game of my career I think since I left school when I was 15.
“I have had some magical moments fighting relegation in keeping clubs up just above the line but this is the one that is set up for the biggest Saturday afternoon of my career.”
Prior to that though the management will have a few injury concerns to deal with as Joe Martin, Chris Whelpdale, Charlie Lee, Adam Barrett and Matt Fish all had issues at Whaddon Road, but the Manager says these will be looked in to on Monday.
He added: “He [Charlie Lee] has come off injured in the second half with an impact injury but hopefully it’s not too bad.
“I thought Charlie played really well, he was due to play [against Morecambe] but then got a virus so he couldn’t play and was out for a few days with a poorly tummy which wiped him out for a little bit.
“Joe has got one aswell [a knock] – there are no complaints, it was a hard fought game as you would expect from two top teams in this division. It was going to be full on, no complaints about the referee or the tackles, they won, hold your hands up, move on to the next one and wish them luck which is what we have done.
“The first thing we said when we came in was `let’s get ready for next Saturday in front of our supporters, ` to make it happen, that’s the plan and that’s what we will do.”
The Manager said the performance on Saturday summed up their season and reiterated it has been a privilege to work with the players he has had available.
He said: “We lost at Torquay to a shot from 50 yards on the wing which was a complete fluke after dominating that game. We have been resilient like we have shown against Cheltenham throughout the season.
“This is what we have done all season, we have stood together as men and they have worked tirelessly and the players deserve all the praise they are getting, they have been absolutely fantastic and it has been a pleasure to work with them.
“It’s been a pleasure to be their manager; I don’t even do anything really. I just watch them, say hi, pick a team and they get on with it.”
For Martin’s immediate match reaction click here.
For our official match report click here.