Gills boss gives update on Romain Vincelot...
Martin Allen says he is expecting another tough encounter when Fleetwood Town visit MEMS Priestfield on Saturday.
It is the club’s last home game before Christmas and the Gills go in to it off the back of a hard fought win over Rotherham last weekend at the New York Stadium, and Martin is expecting another tricky game when Graham Alexander’s side make the long trip to Kent.
Speaking in his midweek press conference he said:
“They have a lot of good players who have played at a higher level – Championship, Premiership and international level in the last few years so they have certainly splashed out on the wages.
“Over the years they have done a remarkable job to get so many promotions and are on the back of, perhaps, another one.”
Alexander has only been in the job for a couple of weeks after the dismissal of Micky Mellon, and Martin said, although it was a surprise decision for many, the owner has every right to make that decision in the best interests of the club.
He said: “What is pressure? Pressure is what you pit on yourself really; you can’t buy it in the supermarket, it’s self-induced. They have spent the money and the owners that pay all the money have the right. I always say it with all these clubs that have sacked me – the owner has the right to sack you, it’s his money.
“If he wants someone else to run his football club then so be it and if the owner of Fleetwood decides to sack his manager and bring in someone else in then it’s his money, it’s his prerogative and he can spend it how he wants.
“It’s like us going to Rotherham with all of the money they have spent on that team, its big bucks and Mr. Scally has been very generous here. We didn’t play that well but still won 2-1, we had a few injuries and come out there winning so it’s fantastic.”
It emerged following last weekend’s game that Rotherham Manager Steve Evans had sent a DVD to the Football League highlighting certain decisions that frustrated their side, but Martin wasn’t to be drawn on the situation and said he is focussed on preparing his own team going forward rather than look back.
He said: “Did he? I have no interest in that really, I don’t get in to all that. All I try and do is look after our players, our supporters and answer to our owner. Once the final whistle goes it’s the end of the game and you move on.
“I never comment about other football clubs, their players, how they run and do their business. I keep my comments and my thoughts private within our dressing room and all I talk about is Gillingham and our club.”
There was a moment of huge concern during the game when on-loan Brighton midfielder Romain Vincelot was stretchered off during the second half after being knocked unconscious for several minutes, but Martin says he has received the all clear and visited him in the hospital following the match.
He added: “Rom is fine, he has been back at the club a few days and all of the players had Monday off anyway. He did a light work out on Tuesday and we will see how he is tomorrow but he is fine, what has happened has happened and let’s move and step on to the next one.
“First and foremost we have to make sure our player’s safety is all in order. I was at the hospital myself with all the team on Saturday night and saw the consultant and got the all clear from the scan. There is no potential damage so basically he is all clear.
“We have checked it out with the doctor and the FA and what the guidelines and regulations are to make sure that our player’s safety is number one and at the moment we are fine.
“Chris Whelpdale didn’t train this morning; he has had a bit of a sore groin so he is being rested at the moment. Callum is back training with the squad today after having a break; Connor Essam is back with us now and seems to have recovered from his thigh problem.
“Ashley Miller is going out on loan again, Browny [Alex Brown] has gone to Maidstone, Ross Flitney has gone back out on loan to Eastleigh and that’s about it.
“Browny is a good player, he has had a few knocks but we don’t let him get down in the dumps it’s all part of the job. When you go in to a physical sport of a physical nature and in July or August you don’t know that you are going to take a few hits during the year then there is something missing.
“He’s a great lad; he trains hard and is a good player. It will do him good to go out to Maidstone and is just one of a number of good young players that we have got at the club.”