Gillingham return to MEMS Priestfield this weekend to face another of the League Two fancies – Notts County – and Gareth Ainsworth is hoping to make it twenty League games unbeaten. 

County are usually tough opponents and in the past games between the two sides, particularly in Kent have been close and entertaining affairs and boss Gareth Ainsworth expects no difference this weekend. 

Speaking to KSN at this week’s briefing, the Gills boss told us, “We found a way again last week,” he said referring to the comeback to get a point at Hayes Lane last weekend against Bromley.

“Looking back, the referee looks like he got the decision wrong for the penalty, and we admit that! But I think on the whole game and chances created, Bromley will say that they had a couple of clear cut chances better than we did, but we still had Josh Andrews with a couple of really good chances – it could have been a high scoring game and 2-2 it was, but it could have been a lot more!”

“We made uncharacteristic mistakes at the back, but there were some real good performances going forward, particularly second half, and then the changes came on and they are just strong players who won’t weaken any team!”

“It was definitely an all-out Kent derby which I haven’t experienced before – I enjoyed it, and it was great to come away with a point, but we have to focus now on what we can do against Notts County on Saturday!” 

“Every team in League Two is different, and we have to respect every team’s strength and hopefully exploit their weaknesses.”

“County are a good side – they lost David McGoldrick who was a big player for them last year (the striker signed for Barnsley in the summer) but they seem to have replaced well with Matt Dennis up front and Alassana Jatta (who is a Ghanaian international) who will be a good player in this division.”

“We have to look at them and respect them and know what they bring – there is a philosophy that runs through their Club and has done for many years which is nice to see as they recruit players and managers to suit that philosophy.” 

Ainsworth continued, “We have got to be on our game again – different styles, different tests; County have actually played Bromley and we have been watching that game back this week as we are really looking forward to it especially as we are back at home – it feels like a while since we have played at Priestfield which is crazy!”

“I know it’s only been a couple of weeks, but it’s nice to be back at home especially as the schools are back, people are back from their holidays and I am told that there will be a decent crowd here on Saturday, and it will be really nice to hopefully show the crowd what the “noise” is all about at the moment as the boys definitely deserve credit for the way that they have been playing and giving everything on the pitch.” 

“There is a great vibe around the place at the moment which is great. It’s something that we built over the summer and the test comes when we have everyone fit – which isn’t far away now – and we have twenty-one players who are all capable of playing in League Two, all capable of playing in the top team in League Two and the selection issues that will come in.”

“All I can ask for is for the boys to keep with us and there will be chances for everyone and that’s important!”

“I think that we’d rather have a squad that is depth heavy and good players rather than having a few good players that you are always going to play but finishing low in the table.”

“It’s this achievement we want, and we want to do it together – Priestfield is a great place to be at the moment, the training ground is buzzing!” 

“Ahead of the weekend we do have one or two knocks that we have to look at, but on the whole we have to be how the first seven games have gone and have to relish every challenge now with the boys going into the games believing that they can win them!”