Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth was pleased with what he saw from his side after the 0-0 draw against Reading on Saturday afternoon at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
The hosts played a different XI for each half during the pre-season friendly, and Ainsworth saw plenty of positives from both sides. He was happy with the pressing and play from the more experienced team during the opening 45 minutes, while he was glad with how the younger team in the second period held their own.
The Gills boss discussed the importance of Bradley Dack being involved in pre-season, something he has not been able to participate in the past three years.
Ahead of another busy week of building towards the new season, Ainsworth provided an update on the players who were not available against Reading.
Assessment of the game...
I'm really pleased. We got what we wanted, again. We got some good fitness work out of that one. There were no injuries, which is good, and I think we pressed that Reading team really well. Especially in the first half with a bit more experience in the team. We got the ball down well and had the best chances of the game if I am being totally honest.
Bradley [Dack] was really disappointed that he didn't hit the net with his left foot. You want it to fall to someone like Bradley. Seb [Palmer-Houlden] was trying to get through, and Galey [Sam Gale], in the second half, was getting through. I thought that we limited Reading to limited chances. They had the one cross and a little scare in the second half, but overall, I am really pleased with what the boys have taken on so far.
The second half team was a bit younger, with some of our youngsters coming through. First of all, well done youngsters. They have plenty to learn and held their own against the Reading first team; secondly, the older players who have played did well because they secured the ship.
They really showed me that we have got a good squad here. We want to add one or two, definitely, and the squad will shape as we get to the start of the season.
On his preferred formation...
People ask me what formation I play. I will tell you now that I play the winning formation. I will look at every game, and I will play the winning formation. My players need to be able to play in a 5-2-3, a 4-2-1-3, and a 4-2-3-1. They need to be able to play in all systems because I will look at a game and go 'today, I think a five will work'. That's how I manage.
I think people are well aware of that. If you look back on my history in management, you will see a variety of formations. They all work. No one cares about formations when you win a game. They will only care about the result.
There is no set formation for me and my side. We will play the formation that wins or the formation that will give us the best chance of winning.
A Bradley Dack pre-season…
This is his first pre-season for three years. He’s going to be right up there fitness-wise. I think that you saw today that he’s going to add some quality to us. We’re in a good place, and I am looking forward to us getting stuck into Accrington.
[On when he went down] - He just had a dead leg. I think that the intensity of the game was quite good for a pre-season friendly. Dacky got stuck in and got a lot of the ball. He’s going to feature a lot this season - as a leader and as a good player. We’ve had some good chats off the pitch, and I have huge respect for that boy. He has done a lot in the game, and he loves this club and wants the best for Gillingham.
Injury updates…
Elliott Nevitt and Nelson [Khumbeni] will be close, and Jonny Williams. All three of them will be back in the squad and the team very soon.
Sam Vokes, we knew when we signed him that he was 12 weeks out with the broken arm in the last game of the season. Euan Williams took another whack, which we have got to be careful with. We don’t want to risk him at the moment.
Aaron Rowe came back, and he has a little muscle injury that we have to be careful with. Aaron’s a very explosive player. It’s disappointing because Aaron finished the season so well. He’s got a little muscle injury that we have to watch. We can’t overload Aaron. Games aren’t for Aaron yet.
