Gillingham keeper Ollie Wright is looking to keep his first clean sheet for the club as Tranmere Rovers visit MEMS Priestfield this weekend as they look to record a first win of the season at home base.
They broke their season’s duck with a stunning 4-1 win at Rochdale last weekend and Wright is only too well aware of what three points against Rovers on Saturday will do for supporters and players alike this weekend.
Speaking to KSN for the first time at this week’s briefing, the on-loan Southampton stopper told us, “Saturday was three points that we needed and it just shows and comes from training and all the hard work that we put in as it all finally came together, but I was disappointed not to get a clean sheet,” he added smiling through gritted teeth!
“It’s not been an ideal start for me personally after getting injured in pre-season. First week into pre-season and I pick up a muscle injury, but it happens, its football, but the physios and staff around me here have been brilliant to get me back on the pitch as I am now feeling ready and strong now as I have played in the last three games and am back to what I am doing best.”
“Pre-season is very important to everyone in the team bonding with the lads, but I managed to do that off the pitch doing activities with the Gaffer and things like that help people come together.
“There were a lot of new faces in the changing room. In terms of physically, it’s important to get your body used to playing and having to dive on hard ground and your kicking. But they have built me up really well – I could have come back sooner but we made the right call not to push it and make sure that it is now a recurrent thing.
“We built a really good relationship off the pitch – the changing room is really good as there are some really good people in there.”
“I had a few offers from League One, but I knew that Gillingham was right for me, they have given me a platform to play games and that’s the most important thing for me for my development to keep playing games.”
“It was a big thing to be told that I was going to be number one and to be working with the Gaffer – he is a brilliant Gaffer, man management and the way that he plays. Deren (Ibrahim) the keeper coach has been brilliant with me!”
“It’s been really positive this week after the win at Rochdale. To get the first three points and four goals and playing well it really has been a good week at training, and we are now looking forward to the next game here at the weekend and the games are coming thick and fast.
“We have two tough home games the next two Saturdays – Tranmere and Bristol Rovers – they will both be up there this season – both physical teams but we are ready for the challenge, and we back ourselves as we have a good squad here.”