Gills Manager grateful for behind the scenes efforts
Martin Allen says the preparation for the game against Plymouth Argyle next weekend began in the dressing room following the 1-1 draw against Aldershot on Saturday.
The points were shared at the EBB Stadium when Leon Legge’s header cancelled out Craig Reid’s strike shortly after the break, and although Martin was pleased with the performance, the club is already looking towards the game at MEMS Priestfield next weekend.
He said: “It’s another away game, another draw and they are unbeaten in four games under their new Manager, they have been working extremely hard and I’ve seen a lot of Aldershot.
“I saw them a few weeks ago when they beat Northampton here in the snow, they have real spirit, they beat Torquay and it was always going to be a tough game.
“The fact we did so well in the last 20 minutes and nearly won it is testament to the players’ character, fitness levels and credit to all the staff that help us put it together.
“It’s no good knocking them and shouting at them, we’ve got to look after them and next Saturday has already started in the dressing room here.
“We need to help them next Saturday, it’s the same right through the division and if you haven’t noticed that then you haven’t been on the right planet - it’s the same in the division above, it’s hard for the teams at the top to win at home.
“We need to work out a way that we can help prepare our players the best we can. We’ll give them a game plan, organise them, get them on the pitch against Plymouth Argyle and we have got a fantastic weekend lined up when we play Plymouth at home.
“The players will love it when everybody gets behind our team.”
Martin revealed that he nearly had to substitute skipper Adam Barrett at half time due to illness and had a plan in mind should he have had to relinquish one of his centre halves.
He said: “Adam was poorly at half time so we waited another ten minutes and then another ten minutes and we weren’t sure what to do when we were drawing 1-1. We didn’t want to concede a goal in the last few minutes obviously.
“We decided to keep it as it was, Adam was fine – Callum Davies has done really well for us recently and has been sharp and strong in training. He’s gagging to play and is frustrated that he’s not playing.
“To put him in central midfield with fresh legs he’s tenacious, he’s great in the air and he’s always a good person to put in central midfield when you’ve got a good result so that’s what we were thinking of.”