Assistant Manager Anthony Hayes was delighted with the application of the players following Saturday's hard-fought 1-0 win against Notts County at Meadow Lane.
Elliott Nevitt scored his first league goal for Gills, having been played through on goal courtesy of a perfect pass from Remeao Hutton. Hayes was pleased with what he saw from the full-back in the lead-up to the goal while praising Nevitt's composure to finish the chance the way in which he did.
Gillingham have started their league campaign strongly despite injury issues nagging the group. However, Hayes believes that the squad is continuously progressing, with healthy competition among the players having a positive impact.
There were 994 visiting supporters at Meadow Lane, and their excellent backing throughout the game helped the players to all three points. The Gills assistant boss was full of praise for their superb support during the early stages of the season.
Thoughts on the game...
It was action-packed, wasn't it!? I think, ultimately, you cannot come here and win and not play well. I thought that there was a lot of control from our point of view without the ball because they do what they do, and they're really good at it. We had to give up certain spaces to protect others. I thought that the players were fantastic in terms of doing that, but we also contributed with the ball.
We had some really good moments of control, and we were a big threat to their goal, and although they have dominated the ball, we didn't come here to have a fight for the football. We came here to try and dominate in terms of chances. I think that we have had more shots on target than them. I think they've had three, and we've had five, with one big chance each.
There were a few melees in between. It was brilliant for Nev [Elliott Nevitt] to score his first goal in the league for us and in a brilliant away day. A massive win for us.
The Goal...
For Hutts, [Remeao Hutton] it is something that we have spoken to him a lot about. He has got loads of really good attributes, and we are trying to get him to be a little bit more reliable at his feet like coming inside and playing off his weaker side and slipping Nev through. It was a brilliant run from Nev. That's what he gives you.
He is a threat off the shoulder, showing brilliant composure and a brilliant finish.
Looking at the start to the season...
It is really early days, and we have had a really tough start. Our points return has been excellent. Our performances, we think as a group of staff, have been getting better week-by-week. We haven't had the chance or luxury to name the same XI in league games, so the lads who are coming in have done great.
We want that competition, a healthy competition because that improves your standards in training. We are in a good place, but there's so much more that we can get better at. We will try to keep both feet on the ground. We will enjoy tonight because you have to, and then it rolls very quickly into Tuesday, then Saturday, Tuesday, then Saturday.
The exciting thing is that we are seeing progress week-by-week and game-by-game, and it is our job as a group of staff to keep that going.
The Supporters...
The support has been incredible. The games we have had at home with the seven to eight thousand and the noise they've created. They have got us over the line in games.
The away numbers are getting bigger and bigger every week. The noise is getting bigger and bigger, and the connection between the group is growing. They are appreciating what the players are giving on the pitch, so that's our job to keep doing that.
We have to generate an atmosphere and to try and play a brand of football that excites them, and ultimately, wins games of football. That is what we're going to be judged on.
The support today, to go up to Nottingham, with nearly 1000, there's just a big thank you from all of us connected to the Football Club. They go home happy, we're all happy, and now it is on to Tuesday for the next game.
