Gills Manager expecting tough test...
Gills Manager Martin Allen is expecting another tough game on Saturday when Morecambe visit MEMS Priestfield.
Having drawn their last two games the side are looking to get back to winning ways, and Martin responded to those who may have had a grumble after only claiming a point at Home Park.
He said: “You can understand people thinking like that but if you scratch the surface a bit deeper then you realise we haven’t had an easy game away from home.
“It was a tough battle away at AFC Wimbledon, a tough game away at Barnet so whenever we go away it’s always going to be a challenge.
“I think this team has been a record breaking team away from home so if people are moaning when we have broken records then fair play to them, that’s life.”
As for the opponents on Saturday Martin revealed what sort of challenge the Shrimps will pose.
He said: “It’s another hard game – they have hit top form over the last few matches, it’s a fantastic football club who have come from Conference football and they are getting better year by year.
“The team is getting better and it’s a great English football club. I have seen them when they were in the Conference and the people involved should be proud of all the work they have done.
“We’ll have to be on top form individually and collectively to take them on – they will be full of confidence but with the way our players play we are a good side ourselves.
“Our players have raised their game from day one and raised the bar. To set the records we have has been quite amazing – I suppose the only surprise is last Saturday which was the first time we probably haven’t played near the levels that we can.
“We didn’t have a go at them – I thought it was a fantastic effort and you find out so much about people when it’s not going so well.
“You find the ones that actually stand up to be counted and even though they are not playing well they can still do something and still turn it around and our players kept going.
“To nearly win it in the last minute is quite remarkable – where did they pull that one out the bag from? It would have been amazing if they had done that but its testament to the training on and off the field that we have done.
“The players don’t know when they are beaten, they just keep going.”
As for team news Martin revealed that two of his squad are available for selection again, however one of his midfielders will be missing after picking up an injury.
He said: “Charlie Lee has trained with us and played 45 minutes in Patto’s team on Tuesday and did very well. His chest is fine so he hasn’t been coughing and spluttering so he goes into our squad for the weekend and back fully fit I would say and hopefully I make the right judgment.
“Charlie Allen played 90 minutes for Patto’s team and did very well so he comes back into our squad. Jack Payne has twisted his ankle training with Hessy. He took the development team for fitness work and Jack joined them but twisted his ankle so I don’t think he will be involved this weekend.
“Bradley Dack trained for the first time for a couple of weeks yesterday with Hessy but he will train with Mark Patterson tomorrow [Friday]. He and Darren Hare are on a course for a couple of days so Andy has taken the development squad and Bryan [Bull] has taken the youth team while they are away.
“Dacky has some catch up to do – Joe Martin is at the training ground with us but he can’t do any work where there is physical contact so that’s frustrating for him. He is moving well, looking good, working on his running and upper body and looks fantastic.
“What a Rolls Royce of a player when he is gliding up the wings. He’s a good player, we are missing him big time but he’s still three weeks away yet.”