“If you underestimate Accrington, don’t bother coming,” – the stark warning from Neil Harris as Gillingham go into their first home League game of the season on Saturday.

There will be an unfamiliar buzz around Priestfield after wins against Stockport County and Championship Southampton in the opening week of the season. 

With Stanley making the long trip south this weekend, one man with both feet very firmly planted on the Priestfield playing area is the Gills boss, and he’s been talking about the fantastic start to KSN, but underlined that it is just one League game out of forty-six played… and that no-one in League Two this year should be underestimated! 

“After Tuesday night, we had a very excited dressing room, but all I said to the lads was now really let’s get focused on Accrington on Saturday as we know it’s going to be a tough game for us!”

“I enjoyed the moment, but as soon as I got up Wednesday morning, that’s it, I was focused on Saturday and watching Accrington.”

“But I personally started that process for the weekend on Monday and Tuesday morning and the message at the group meeting ahead of training Thursday was the same – focus on Accrington, now the League’s most important for us!” 

Harris went on, “Every game is different, and we know that Accie will be a good side and they did well against Newport last week – they are a big, physical, strong side as you would expect from John Coleman, but John Coleman’s sides may be big and physical, but they can run and handle a football as well.”

“They have some athletic players, good ball carriers, really, really good shape to them in the last couple of games, so it will be a really tough game for us and the mindset of EVERYONE in the stadium has to be prepared for a battle from the first whistle – we’re going to have to use the ball well, we’re going to have to physically stand up to the set-plays and our shape has to be as good as it’s been in the first two games.” 

“If you underestimate Accrington, don’t bother coming,” Harris bluntly said.

“I don’t want to nip anyone in the bud, but please make no mistake, every single League game is going to be very tough. Anyone who thinks we’ve just got to turn up and win is being disrespectful to our opponents – you can’t use the word promotion after two games; only one of those was a League game – there is so far to go!”

“People can get excited on the street, but my job is to manage expectation and it’s a long season – we’ve had a really positive four days, but that now is irreverent!”

“It’s gone – it’s all about Saturday against Accie now… and when that’s done, we’ll focus on Sutton, and then Crawley and then we’ll focus on Colchester, Grimsby and Luton in the Cup!” 

Going into the weekend, Harris said that there’s a doubt over skipper Shaun Williams whilst Ollie Hawkins is still a little way from fitness and being involved.

“I had to leave a few out on Tuesday who might not be ready for Saturday – the principal is there; the final decision on personnel pretty much there, but let’s get to the weekend, and probably at least one fitness test, for the starting eleven.”