Gills boss reflects on the midweek win over Sutton.
Gillingham manager Neil Harris watched his side battle to their third 1-0 victory of the season and said he is loving the team’s ‘win-the-next-game’ mentality.
The Gills sit at the top of the tree in Sky Bet League Two after seeing off Stockport, Accrington and now Sutton, all without conceding a goal. Rather than celebrate the impressive run of results, Harris is instead fully focused on upsetting Crawley Town this weekend.
Following the hard-fought bruising win at Gander Green Lane, Harris spoke to the local press. Here is what he had to say.
Sutton victory
“I am delighted with three points, not many teams win their three opening games and a cup game. I am delighted for the group and the Football Club.
“All I asked of my players is that I wanted them to stand up to the physical pressure. I warned everybody that they are a really good side and good and what they do.
“I can’t emphasise enough what a good team Sutton are, they are going to beat a hell of a lot of teams. We dug in and got the result.”
Clean sheets
“It’s three clean sheets out of three, so fair play to the group. When we haven’t got the ball, I ask for 11 good defenders, including the centre-forwards and the goalkeeper.
“It is all the players’ job to keep the ball out of the net and that’s not just blocks and headers, that’s our defensive shape and pressing triggers. The lads are doing really well.”
Managing the pack
“Three goals in three games for Ashley Nadesan is not a bad start at a new club. What a strike partner he has got in Tom Nichols, who now has two assists in two games.
“It can’t always be two strikers, and it won’t always be them two, obviously. We’ve got Oli Hawkins and Macauley Bonne, who I thought was excellent when he came on.
“I need to manage the pack and try and keep people fit and fresh.”
The fans
“Record season tickets and 800 up at Stockport and 1,300 today, it is brilliant and they are enjoying it. They are enjoying the Galinson-factor.
“They are enjoying their football and I don’t think there is a Gillingham fan who wouldn’t have enjoyed that performance tonight.”
No time to celebrate
“I won’t celebrate this game. I watched Crawley last night and I watched them this morning and I’ll probably watch Crawley when I get home tonight as well. That’s my job and I enjoy it and at the moment I am loving it.”