Gills boss expecting tough test as Doncaster prepare to visit Priestfield
Justin Edinburgh says his side will need to replicate Tuesday evening’s performance against Swindon to ensure another positive result at home to Doncaster on Saturday.The Gills got back to winning ways midweek with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Mark Cooper’s side, and a win against Donny tomorrow would put the hosts within touching distance of the playoffs.
Speaking to the media on Thursday Justin said: “It’s another tough game; they are in good form and had a fantastic result against Preston.
"They’ll be disappointed with the timing of the late equaliser but I think they’ll come with a little bit of a different mind-set to perhaps what we saw with Barnsley.
“I expect a very open game, a good game but one that will be tough and we’ll have to put in the kind of performances against Sheffield United, MK Dons and Swindon to get something out of the game.
“I think it will be a better spectacle than the one we saw here last week.
“It was a case of tasting defeat for the first time [against Barnsley] since I have been in charge of the Football Club and it’s certainly been a while for the players so you look for a reaction.
“The way we surrendered the unbeaten run was frustrating aswell, there was no quicker time to have a game and the challenge was against one of the top teams away from home and it was going to prove a tough test.
“But we ticked all of the boxes and overcame that challenge.”
Justin was asked if his side are expected to win the game considering Tuesday’s win.
He said: “I don’t think you can ever be expected to win any game at any level, if you have that mind-set then you will come unstuck. We believe we can win every game we play, if you didn’t then there is no point turning up.
“We are confident and believe in ourselves, hopefully the conditions are more caring to us Saturday but what I feel is that Doncaster will be a bit more open. They pose a different threat.”
As for the playoffs, the Manager still feels there is a realistic possibility of reaching the top six but emphasised they must focus on their own game rather than the league table.
He added: “I think there is one place up for grabs, I think the other three will be taken by the clubs that are there – I think there is 10 or 11 teams that think they can get that last spot which is quite bizarre really.
“We can only take care of what we can do; first and foremost we need to guarantee ourselves a performance.”
Justin’s press conference in full can be viewed here