Harris | "There will be more expectation now"

Manager previews the visit of promotion chasing Northampton to Kent.

Neil Harris says there is a "bounce" around ME7 after their sensational Carabao Cup win over Premier League outfit Brentford and he is calling on his players to reproduce their heroics in the league.

Gillingham, who made headlines midweek and now due to play Wolves in the last 16 of the competition, host League Two promotion hunters Northampton Town on Saturday and Harris wants his side to string a good run together in a bid to start climbing the Sky Bet League Two table.

"There was a level of performance from players on Tuesday in the cup that they have not hit regularly enough," admitted the Gillingham manager. "That is the consistency I expect. I've never questioned the work ethic: it's the concentration and quality. We showed that in abundance. That is now the standard I expect going forward.

"We need to use the Brentford cup win as a catalyst in the league. The league form has not been to the standard I would expect. After the cup win there will be a buzz around our fanbase, we have to feed off that.

"We have to be at it against Northampton, they are a very good team. They are an effective and hardworking side who have ability at the top end of the pitch. They are competitive and want to be promoted, they want to be in the top three. We have a big challenge, and we are going to have to be at our best for 90 minutes.

"We are really looking forward to this game and we have a bounce from Tuesday.

"There is so much potential at this Club. I see it, it's huge. There is a great opportunity here but we have to take small steps. It is a challenge every day but you have to embrace and enjoy the challenge. At the moment we just have to improve at the top end of the pitch. Gillingham is a brilliant club, a great location and a great fan base. Behind the scenes and in the academy everything is moving in the right direction.

"We have a fan base arriving on Saturday with excitement. There will be more expectation now and it is down to the players to respond."