Gillingham head for Wrexham this weekend with Conor Masterson enjoying the new way of doing things under Stephen Clemence. 

Speaking to KSN ahead of this weekend, we started our chat by asking him about the competition at the heart of the Gills defence between Max Ehmer, Shad Ogie, and Masterson himself… 

“The three of us get on with each other and that helps,” the Irishman told me. “I think competition for the places helps as well. Max is more experienced so he’s a good leader whilst Shad is young, but very competitive and has good attributes which are physical, so they are two vastly different players.” 

“I feel like Max is almost the father figure because of his experience and in some regards when it is me and Shad that role falls on me.”

“We have been playing together recently, and I think we have formed a much better chemistry if I am honest, and we understand each other.”

“I think that with the Gaffer and Robbie (Stockdale) coming in, it has helped us with that as well, so it has been good!” 

“The main difference in the training we have had this season is really the playing side of things – things we work on, and the Gaffer wants us to play it on the floor.”

“Before we went to Hereford last week, we played a game that you could not kick the ball above head-height. It is just little things like that – he wants us to mainly express ourselves because we have a lot of talented players in our dressing room.”

“It was tough for all the players when we did not have a permanent manager, but we did all right as it is really just part of our job! We must get on with it and we have and now we are all into a new era.” 

“I enjoy the FA Cup.” the young Irishman said as we spoke about last weekend’s triumph in the Cup. “I always enjoy it – it’s historic as if you win a few games, you are not far off having the chance of playing a big team.”

“If we win one more, the Premier League and Championship teams come into it – we are excited and that’s what you want.”

“I know some of the boys watched the Charlton game after we got the draw. I did watch the Sheppey game on the Friday night, and I thought they did well against a very decent Walsall outfit.”

“Some of the guys were surprised by the Cray Valley game – I know Charlton nearly changed their whole team so I cannot see them making that many for the replay. Fair play to Cray for going to Charlton and getting a draw.” 

“At least we’ll be at home in the next round as I fancy us here at Priestfield against most teams in our League and above.”