Peter Taylor happy to have no injury concerns despite 1-0 defeat to Ebbsfleet in final pre-season friendly at Stonebridge Road
Gills boss Peter Taylor says he is pleased to have no injury concerns ahead of the first game of the league season against MK Dons on Saturday.Ebbsfleet inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Gills in the club’s final pre-season friendly courtesy of a late goal from substitute striker Charlie Sheringham, but Peter re-iterated that the fitness levels of his players count for more than the match result.
Speaking to the media after the game at Stonebridge Road he said: “I’m just pleased that we got through 90 minutes with no injures – a couple of slight knocks but I expect everyone to train Monday.
“We are going to have, hopefully, a good week and go over the things we have done well and the things we haven’t done well we’ve got to get better at.
“I still think we need to pass the ball in a more organized way and have a few more options. I think we are a bit predictable at times and we need to change that.
“It’s not about results, it’s all about fitness. You never know until next Saturday whether you have had a good pre-season or not, the last couple of games have been a touch disappointing but I think there is probably no coincidence that it’s getting closer to the start of the season.
“Players are probably thinking ` hang on, I’ve worked extremely hard in pre-season and the last thing I’m going to do is get clattered in a tackle because I want to be in the first team for MK Dons.`”
However Peter said he still gained something from the game, as he explained:
“You always learn, I thought there was a little bit lack of running if I’m honest,” he said. “But I take everything into account, it’s the final game before we start and if I was out there I’d be thinking I want to be available for selection.
“I will consider all the games we have had, the times the team have done well and the times the team have created chances and when they have looked solid – I will look at all those things.”
Matt Fish and Josh Pritchard both missed the game at Fleet but are expected to train during the week.