Gillingham return to the northwest this weekend as they go in search of their first win of the season against newly promoted Rochdale at Spotland. 

Dale, who so heart breakingly lost the National League title in stoppage time on the final day of last season, recovered magnificently to win promotion through the play-offs, got their own first win of the season on Tuesday by beating Shrewsbury 3-0 at home whilst the Gills made it three without defeat – or four without a win – in their 1-1 draw at Chesterfield on the same night. 

Speaking to KSN this week, Ainsworth reflected on the point on Tuesday and told us about the new signings that took place whilst the point was being secured.  

“What I said at half time would have made great viewing on TV,” the Gills boss told us as he reflected on a disappointing opening forty-five minutes at Chesterfield.  

“We tried to do something in the first half that didn’t work and so we reverted to what we have been doing all season. We hadn’t been getting close to people. We looked like a team who had played on Saturday and driven up before the game and were still in the hotel before – we weren’t close to people, we weren’t intense. 

My teams are always intense and nailing people, arriving as the ball arrives and if you give some of the players that Chesterfield have that kind of space and time on the ball they are going to hurt you – they are good players.  

“So, I said to the boys unless you are nailing them as the ball arrives, you are in trouble because don’t start defending the space behind you as the space in front of you could hurt you just as much if not more.  

“It wasn’t just the defence it was everyone – we couldn’t keep the ball well; we got ourselves in awful positions trying to play out. We have patterns that we are trying to play out but we got ourselves into some awful patterns and positions first half.  

“Half time was needed as I needed to get into the boys in a calm way, in a way that was constructive, whilst Stevie (Craig, Ainsworth’s assistant) told them exactly what needed to be done!” 

“We are the team that will fight and scrap and get up people – I know that these fans need and they want – they want to see us closing down, they want to see work rate, they want to see passion and that’s what we are. 

“And second half we got our goal – yes, it was fortunate but deserved, and if we had won, we really would have stolen a couple of points but a draw away to Chesterfield is a good result that I do know!” 

Whilst the game at Chesterfield was continuing, back at base, the Gills two final signings of the transfer window were taking place and the manager told us about them starting with Eli King from Cardiff.  

“Eli was only out to me on Monday and I didn’t think there would be any chance to get a player of his ability, he is above this level without a doubt but the only reason that he was pitched to us was because he did an ACL last year and is recovering from that.  

“He is almost at the end of that, I think it’s one or two more weeks before he can be totally cleared to start games. We’ll make sure that we won’t play him too soon because he really is a player above League Two level, he really is.  

“He is six foot two, really controls the midfield gets on the ball and passes it at the right time and keeps it at the right time. He wins battles in midfield and controls games, and I think he’ll be a brilliant signing for us.”

“Zech Obiero has joined us from Leyton Orient – he had a loan at Tranmere and can really sparkle in midfield, or he can play wide as well. He is a ball carrier, makes things happen, a dribbler, a goal scorer, and I think we are lucky to get him as he has been in and around Orient’s first team since coming back off loan.  

“He was a real danger man for Tranmere last year and once his name was put to us – Andy Hessenthaler did a lot of work on this one for us – its great and really good to get him in the building especially after losing Kadeem (Harris) to injury the way that we did.  

“We were all looking for that spark, that ball carrier, that magic moment and Zech certainly has that. They both trained Wednesday and we’re really pleased with what we have seen… along with Jack Daley who has probably been forgotten after being here two days as two more players have come in since!” 

“We are really happy with what we have got in, and I am looking forward to juggling the squad – I am going to have some headaches, I am pretty sure of that. I guess it’s over to me now as I have the squad that I wanted,” Ainsworth said adding, “Now we have to make it work!”