Martin delighted to pick up three important points
Martin Allen admitted his side produced their best performance of recent weeks after defeating Plymouth Argyle 2-1 at MEMS Priestfield on Saturday afternoon.
Antonio German and Chris Whelpdale got the goals for the hosts, and after finding it tricky to win games at home of late, Martin said he and the coaching staff decided to do something about it rather than accept it.
He said: “It was the best performance for a while, we keep talking about the rest of the county and it’s the same scenario everywhere.
“As a Manager you can hide behind that and say `this is what happens at this time of year, ` which is what it does, but our plan was on Tuesday morning to do something about it.
“We put in a plan of positive action in to place where we have to try and turn it around and not just accept that, at this time of year, anxiety and tension is high.
“Winning at home is difficult in front of your own supporters, it’s not just at Gillingham – it’s the same in the rest of the division and the division above.
“We thought we needed to do something about it – we trained hard on the training pitch and the players have worked tremendously hard and that doesn’t come through luck.
“The players deserve all the credit after going over the white line and putting in a performance like that, they did us all proud.”
The result put the Gills five points clear at the top of the table after Port Vale were beaten by Southend at home, but the Manager was unconcerned with developments elsewhere and re-iterated they must focus on their own strategy to get results.
He said: “That’s good isn’t it? I don’t know what the scores were and I don’t know what the table looks like. The only thing I have cared about since I came back from my little trip to see Mr. Scally in Dubai, having arrived back in to Gatwick at seven o’clock on Tuesday morning, and was on the training pitch at half past ten ready to go.
“I was in the video room at half past nine and from then on it’s been full on. I’ve only one thing in mind and that was our performance and our preparation and action plan of what we would do together ready for this football match.
“I thoroughly enjoyed taking the warm-up and that was all part of it, the players needed my help and support and god bless them, they did great.”
Martin said changes would be made for Tuesday’s trip to Exeter, and revealed Andy Frampton could be in line for a return.
He said: “There were a lot of good players sitting on the bench. Frampton is now fit, Weston isn’t fit and Allen isn’t fit but Frampton now comes back in to the picture.
“He trained well OK on Friday and hasn’t had any headaches which is bad news for Nurofen, he is fine and raring to go. You could see what East did when he came on, what a player he looks.
“I was desperate to get Richardson on the pitch and in training during the last few days he has looked absolutely fantastic. His mum and dad travelled down from Newcastle to watch their son and I thought he did really well when he came on and he deserved it because ever since Tuesday he has been full on it."
To watch Martin's post match press conference click here.
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