Gillingham go into Easter looking to break their recent losing run but on Good Friday travel to the Bescot Stadium to face a Walsall side intent on making the play-offs after last season’s collapse saw them go from table toppers to mid table mediocrity.

And that’s certainly a phrase that could be levelled at the Gills campaign which is probably why boss Gareth Ainsworth is so keen to finish off a disappointing campaign as well as his side can.

Speaking to KSN at this week’s press briefing, the Gills boss admitted, “We have had some pretty tough moments recently, but that’s football and we have to get on with it – I want people to get to my standard; I need to drag them to my standard of defending, attacking and playing and I will do all that I can do to make that happen. But it hasn’t happened enough and I fully understand the reaction of the fans sometimes – it’s been tough for us all to take!”

“I want to turn this run around; we are in a pretty tough position going into the Easter games (the Gills face Accrington Stanley at MEMS Priestfield on Monday afternoon) but it happens at Football Clubs – people are going to dig deep and people have to raise their standards and find a way, because you won’t get me giving up – ever!”

“I wish I could still go out there as I have said previously to scrap and give everything, blood sweat and tears, and I need players like that!”

“The giving everything has been happening, but when it’s not good enough, you have to improve your everything and that’s what I am here to do. Now whether that comes from inside the building or I have to bring it in from outside the building, then I will do as we have to improve everything, because I would say whenever I am picking the squad and I have the “luxury” of choosing my first eleven, it will be more than good enough.”

“I think that there are a few people who will have to look at themselves and I definitely need to have a look to see who’s ready to scrap – we have set a target; first of all to beat fifty points and then to beat last season’s total (fifty-eight) and that will be progress, even though it feels like we have had a rubbish season, it would be something to take forward!”

“It’s been tough and I understand that, but there is no way that I am going to sit down and say “tough!” – let’s find a way to beat this toughness and find ways to win,” the Gills boss said defiantly before speaking to the Gills faithful directly.

“I need the support – I need you fans to get behind us whichever way! I know that you turn up in droves – which is great and I thank you all – but we properly need you at the moment – I know you are there, the players know you are there, we have two big games coming up this weekend, and I want to go into believing that we can win both!”