Martin re-iterates strong team ethic at the club
Martin Allen said it was a surreal feeling to know he and the players had made history at the club by breaking the record of away wins in a league season.
The 1-0 win over Chesterfield on Saturday courtesy of a Cody McDonald header set a new target of 11 wins on the road in a single season, and Martin said everyone in the camp had a good feeling after the game.
He said: “To make history at a football club which is 100 years old for the amount of away wins is fantastic. Deon Burton came in after the game and said `well done lads we made history. `
“That’s all we spoke about; we didn’t speak about the three points. We haven’t mentioned it in the last few days in training but we all knew about it so to be part of the squad and part of the club when we have made history is quite amazing and a surreal feeling.
“I don’t think I have ever made history before, probably in the wrong ways….so it’s good!”
In addition to that Martin was informed that the Gills hadn’t conceded a goal on the road for near 500 minutes of football, something which he said hasn’t come through luck as meticulous defensive work has been conducted on the training ground.
He said: “That’s very good but they practice hard and they train hard – they listen, they are receptive, they have looked after their bodies. They eat properly, they drink properly, they take care of themselves and I’ve got to say they are an absolute pleasure to work with.
“They don’t challenge anything, they ask questions if they’re not sure and these results don’t happen through luck.
“With Nelson, Barrett, Legge and our two new midfielders in Robinson and Gregory and Cody McDonald defending from the front and helping the team out is how we play.
“That’s all been done on the training ground though and we work long hours and we practice. Sometimes I’ll put a back four of Whelpdale at right back, Deon Burton at centre back with Charlie Allen and Myles Weston at left back.
“Everyone has a go at defending how we defend and we do that through the whole squad, so we do have those days when we don’t have midweek games when we all practice and we all work so we have an understanding of each other’s jobs, so if they have to slide in then it’s easily done – it’s not through luck.
“You have to help and when it comes to set plays and corners our defenders have to try and score down there, so it’s a collective effort on and off the field with all the staff, players and of course the supporters.”