Summer recruit enjoying life at Gills.
Vadaine Oliver described Saturday's 3-1 victory against Oxford as a “perfect day out,” and it was the commanding striker himself who got the ball rolling when he powerfully headed home after only 18 minutes.
The 6ft 2” front man worked tirelessly on Saturday to help secure the points but he managed to save some energy to speak to the press straight after the game.
He said: “Oxford looked pretty, they had all the possession and God knows how many shots. Well done… but it didn’t get the result. End of the day, we stuck to our guns and we performed admirably against a good side and a team who will be expected to be up there.
“If we can carry on this run of form. I don’t see why we won’t be up there!”
The Gills, who have racked up three wins and a draw in their last four games, sit fourth in the table and Oliver sees no reason why they can’t keep themselves amongst the big guns.
He said: “At the end of the season you want to be up there with a chance to get promoted so if it continues, happy days!
“We have a great spirit in this team. Everyone’s into the same kind of things, we have the same interests and for some reason we have just clicked.
“It’s rare to find such a group that is so tight. Fortunately, I was involved in one last year at Northampton, and that got us promotion.
“I don’t see why this group can’t do the same. We’ve got all the quality. We’ve got that spirit about us; that edge. I think we can match anyone.
“We had a plan against Oxford and we executed it. We are a force to be reckoned with and if we keep this momentum going, I don’t see why we won’t be up there. I would not discredit us or count us out. I really do think we have a great opportunity."
The striker also believes that the youth are playing at a level beyond their years and with Steve Evans giving the orders from the dugout, it could be a recipe for success.
He said: “I feel like we’ve got a young side but credit to them, they are not playing like youngsters. They are not playing like they are fresh out of the academy. They are playing like men.
“I’ve loved having Steve Evans on the sidelines. He gets what he wants out of the players and it’s showing on the pitch.
“He keeps the referees and the opposition management on their toes. I’m enjoying working for him. As you can see, he’s getting the best out of the boys right now.”
On a personal note Oliver is confident that the best of his career is in front of him and that Gillingham is perfect platform to show what he can do.
“I felt Gillingham was the right option for me,” he said. “I’ve got something to prove. As a footballer you’ve always got something to prove, or you fall by the wayside.
“I’ve seen a lot of players who have an abundance of talent but don’t put that pressure on themselves. In the end, you just fall out of the game. I don’t want to do that.”