Clean sheet gives squad something to build on, says Gills defender.
Academy graduate Jack Tucker was left frustrated after the Gills were unable to break down a stubborn Accrington Stanley at the weekend.
The game ended 0-0, but Gillingham were knocking on the door throughout, particularly in the second half. Despite the frustration of being unable to find a winner, Tucker was able to find some positives from the performance.
“It’s disappointing to not take all of the chances we did create. We created a fair few and limited a good Accrington team to very few at the other end.
“We’re happy with the clean sheet as we’ve not had many of them this season," he added. "But when we play as well as that, we expect to win the game, so it’s disappointing on that front.”
The draw was Gillingham’s seventh this season, and following a run of defeats, Gills now sit three unbeaten.
However, Tucker has a different outlook on things as he knows that they need to be turning those draws into wins.
“It’s three unbeaten, which is obviously good because we’re not losing games. However, we’re looking at it as four points dropped over the last two.
“The clean sheet today was good because it’s something to build on, but it’s two games that on another day we want to come away with four more points than we actually have done.”
Over recent games, Tucker has been deployed in a different role to the one he is used to playing in. He has been sat in front of the back four as a defensive midfielder, and has impressed in his new role.
The 21-year-old admits it is something that he has had to adjust to, but he is just happy to be contributing for the good of the team.
“It’s different, but I’m getting more used to it. They’re helping me out a lot [Rhys Bennett and Max Ehmer] by talking to me non-stop in the game. I don’t mind it. As I said a few games ago, as long I’m playing, I’m happy.”
In the club’s next game, they host Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup. It is a tournament that has given the club some fantastic memories over the years, and Tucker was able to be a part of one just two years ago.
He admits that is an incentive for the entire squad as they hope to emulate their FA Cup run from two seasons ago, where the club hosted West Ham in front of the BT Sports cameras. Tucker is looking forward to the game and hoping to go on a similar run again.
“It’s nice to have a break from the league, but it is obviously a game that we want to win. I was here a couple of years ago when we played West Ham on the telly, and that was a great experience. I think I speak for most of the boys in there when I say we’d love to have that experience again.”
Saturday's fixture against Cheltenham kicks-off at 2pm.