Use the ball in the right areas and have a go, says Steve Lovell.
Steve Lovell has called on his players to go into Saturday’s game against Rotherham in a positive frame of mind.
Gillingham suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Northampton Town last weekend at MEMS Priestfield Stadium, but prior to that had put in two very impressive displays against Peterborough United and Wigan Athletic to collect four points.
The club’s caretaker boss has had a full week on the training ground with the players and has focused on where his side can cause problems against the Millers.
He said: “I look at the positives; I don’t reflect on the negatives.
“The boys are in buoyant mood; we had a practice game on Tuesday and it gives me a chance to look at the players who aren’t in the team at the moment.
“I will be looking more at what we can do rather than what they can do; that’s what the approach has been.
“They are a free scoring team but hopefully we can stop that and get at them at the other end and that’s, again, something we’ve been working on.
“The work ethic this week has been first class and they need to replicate that on Saturday.
“It’s a matter of using the ball in the right areas and creating opportunities going forwards. Be positive and have a go.”
Lovell is enjoying the position he is in but revealed no further conversations have taken place between himself and Chairman Paul Scally. However, he says he must plan ahead in the event he is given the job on a permanent basis.
He added: “There is no latest news; I’m just carrying on until told otherwise. I would love to be given the opportunity but we’ll wait and see.
“I’m going to prepare a team ready for a result on Saturday and whatever happens happens; I’m going to put my ability on the training ground and ensure the players understand what is required of them.
“To be in the position like I am now is great because I can pick the team; I can do in training what I believe in and I think the players are starting to believe in what I’m putting forward. Hopefully that will continue.
“It is something I’ve always believed I could do, even from the last time we were in charge. I got a taste of it then and it’s just a matter of me getting an opportunity to do it and take the training, do the shape and working with the players on an individual basis.
“All I want to do is be successful and put a team out there that everybody can be proud of. I’ve been involved with the club for a long time; I’m now in charge of that, I’m embracing it and enjoying it and I’m making sure I’m giving myself the best opportunity to continue it. That’s out of my hands so I will continue what I’m doing until told otherwise.
“I’ve got to plan it long-term and look ahead. The bunch of players I’ve got at the moment are a good bunch and I’m trying to get the best out of them. They’ve all got different abilities and abilities that we can use to go and win games in this league; I really believe that.”