Keith Millen wants his players to thrive on the atmosphere that will be created by Gills fans on Saturday against Notts County.
Keith Millen believes Gillingham’s clash with Notts County has the potential to be a real humdinger and says his men are fully equipped to go toe-to-toe with the opposition.
The Magpies visit Priestfield to play their 5,000th Football League game, becoming only the eighth team in the country to reach that figure. The club are putting on free travel for their supporters as well as producing commemorative posters and coins to celebrate the impressive milestone.
Millen, however, only has his eyes on three points, and he is calling on his men to make sure they upset the script on what will be a historic day.
“I hope the lads are looking forward to Notts County, because these are the games you really should be looking forward to,” he said. “It’s a big event for them, it’s their 5000th game in the football league, so they are putting on free travel for the fans.
“It is going to be a cracking atmosphere. They are a good side, play good stuff and score goals. All week we have been working towards this game.
“It’s a big game for a lot of reasons and we are both near the top of the league. We know what to expect from them and we have to make sure we compete, and hopefully we can cause them some problems.
“They are an expansive team who make the pitch big and they are very good with the ball. We have done a lot of work on what they do and hopefully when we win the ball, we can punish them in areas they might be vulnerable.
“There is a respect for them but we are at home and I will be reminding the players that our home form is really good.
“The Gills fans have been brilliant in every home game and sometimes when you get a big away following, like Notts County will bring, it just adds to the atmosphere. It stokes up the home fans and adds that rivalry. It’s down to us to perform and if the fans see us giving it a go, they will get right behind us.”