Gills Manager looks ahead to Saturday's clash with Blackpool at Priestfield
Justin Edinburgh believes Blackpool will be the toughest opponents his side have faced this season.Gillingham sit top of Sky Bet League One, unbeaten in their opening six fixtures, while Blackpool secured their first win since January last weekend following a 1-0 win over Scunthorpe.
The Manager says this boost in confidence will make Saturday’s opponents difficult to play against and supporters shouldn’t underestimate them.
He said: “They managed to get a win away at Scunthorpe on Saturday; their first win in 20 which I think is a bit of a blessing. Not too long ago they were a Premier League side, there are a lot of documented problems but I think we’ve got to push that to one side.
“I don’t look at what happens away from the field, I look at what’s on it. They have a new experienced Manager and I think they will be our toughest opponents this season.
“I don’t want people to turn up, sit down and think we should win it three or four nil because if they do they are not being realistic. Any points we gain we need to earn.”
Edinburgh said his players deserve a lot of credit for the start they have made and says everybody at the club is very together as they look to push forward.
He added: “They are a real close knit group and have a real trust and belief in one another and have had to overcome a number of problems of late in terms of injuries in a short space of time.
“For long periods of time we were without Cody McDonald and Doug Loft but we’ve dealt with that and this group seem to solve the problems that are put in front of them.
“We succeed and fail together, that’s the way it has to be.”
Gills were left without three of their usual defensive line against Doncaster but Justin hopes at least one of them will return.
He said: “John Egan is back in full training, Brennan Dickenson isn’t too far away but I think the game will come too soon for Deji Oshilaja.
“Aaron Morris is also back in training so all being well it will be only Deji that doesn’t make the squad.”
The interview in full can be watched on Gills PlayerHD.