Similar performance from Sheffield Wednesday draw needed at Rotherham, says Gills midfielder.
Stuart O’Keefe insists that Gillingham have every chance of leaving the AESSEAL New York Stadium with a point or three, even if everyone else is expecting another predictable Rotherham United victory.
The Millers, who currently sit top of the Sky Bet League One table, are unbeaten in 18 games, boast the tightest defence in the league and are being tipped by many to be crowned Champions. They might appear like the safe bet on Tuesday night but O’Keefe has other ideas.
The Gillingham defender, speaking with local media ahead of the enormous task, said: “Since I’ve been at this club we have always thrived against the bigger opponents, the bigger budgets, the bigger stadiums and fans. That sums us up; when we are up against it we really dig in. You can take points off the top teams or so called bigger clubs .We have fought and got points off the bigger teams numerous times. This game is one that the boys are really looking forward to.
“We will need a similar performance to the one we gave when we went to Sheffield Wednesday and got a positive result. Everyone will be expecting a home win. Nobody will give us a chance, but that might work in our favour. Their fans will be expecting a home win and even their players and staff might be expecting that. It doesn’t get any harder than this. The pressure is off; we can go there and have a right good go.”
Gillingham’s treatment room may have resembled an episode of Casualty recently but their patched-up side have put in strong performances against Cheltenham and Portsmouth; despite results going against them the fight and desire is clearly there.
“You can’t feel sorry for yourselves,” O’Keefe said. “We can’t let negativity creep in. Everyone around the place is positive and that is the right way to be. Morale is really good. We have really come together and become united after the injuries we have suffered. We have got each other’s back. It’s a nice atmosphere.
“We are looking forward to the game. We need to go there, be disciplined, be professional and work as hard as we can. There is no reason why we can’t get a result.”