EDINBURGH: "WE'RE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION"

Gills manager talks to the press following his side's 3-0 victory over Rochdale at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium

Gillingham manager Justin Edinburgh thought that Gillingham’s 3-0 victory against Rochdale at MEMS Priestfield Stadium was the perfect tonic heading into a two-week break.

Frank Nouble's deflected strike early in the second half gave the Gills the lead, before late strikes from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Mark Byrne secured all three points for the home side.

The Gills won't play again until an away trip to Bolton Wanderers on Monday, December 12

Edinburgh on…the win: "It was the perfect end to a scrappy performance, but I felt we just deserved to get that kind of scoreline sooner rather than later.

“We were up against a decent side in Rochdale, they made it really difficult for us to play. We knew it would be tough, we knew it would be tight.

“It was a dogged performance from everybody that took part today.”

Edinburgh on…a clean sheet: "I’m pleased for the whole team because it’s done as a collective. I’m pleased for Nels [Stuart Nelson] and the back four, and I think Scott Wagstaff has been excellent [at right-back].

“The partnership with Max [Ehmer] and Baily [Cargill] is looking promising. I’m pleased for Baily, because as frustrating as it was for us as a club [when he picked up an injury before joining on loan from AFC Bournemouth], it was worse for him.

“We look forward to him [Cargill] continuing here until January and I’m hopeful that we can maybe extend it through to the end of the season.”

Edinburgh on…the forthcoming two-week break between games: "It’s a nice period to condition the players again. That positive result will mean that it will be better for the players - nobody will be downbeat.

“Hopefully these couple of weeks will benefit us long term in terms of regrouping and conditioning, looking ahead to the busy Christmas period.

“What’s been a big plus is that we are now starting to get a consistent team with consistent performances and so the results will come.

“Three points off the play-offs, performances looking better - we are certainly heading in the right direction.”

Related stories
Gillingham 3-0 Rochdale: match report