Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth spoke to the media ahead of the Football Club's opening day fixture of 2025/26 at Accrington Stanley on Saturday afternoon.
The Gills boss is pleased with how the group has prepared this past week and is hoping that his squad can give a strong account of themselves to open the new campaign.
Ainsworth admitted that it is hard to truly prepare for the early season fixtures due to the lack of footage to analyse going into the games. However, he knows that Accrington will provide a tough and physical test, praising the work that their manager John Doolan has done.
Heading into the new season, Ainsworth has discussed his expectations for his squad, with the aim of improving game by game. However, he realises a win on the opening day will not define how the rest of the season pans out.
Looking towards Saturday...
I am really pleased with how the week has gone and how pre-season has gone. We have one or two knocks, but a lot of teams will have that, and I am looking forward to getting stuck into the proper games. It will be a great barometer for everybody.
Believe me, this game doesn't sort your season out. It can sometimes give a kick up the backside or sometimes let you know that you have done the right things. We're going to travel tomorrow. We're going to go up to Accrington, and I am hoping that the boys give a good account of themselves, because there is a positive mood in the camp. As it always will be. I do not want any negativity.
Let's go for it. It's an honour to wear this shirt and represent Gillingham FC. I am sure that the boys will give it their all.
Preparation for the opening day fixture against Accrington Stanley...
It is tough. There isn't a lot of footage to analyse. Once the league games start going, then everybody gets to watch each other's games. These early weeks, you struggle to find out what is coming up against you. Adaptability on the day is going to be really important.
John Doolan is a good guy and a good manager. I respect him a lot, especially with the job that he does.
They will be scrapping and fighting. They will never give up, and I have told my boys. We have prepared for what is going to come, but at the end of the day, League Two is very much like that. It is a lot of transitions and a lot of physical attributes. Sometimes you have to mix it as much as playing great football. I am sure that we will be coming up against both on Saturday.
All I can say is, I have prepared my boys the best way that I believe I can.
Expectations for the upcoming season...
I think that this has been a big mental pre-season. The boys have got to adapt and find out a new way of working and adapt to the way I want to do things. I am hoping that they can deliver and improve every game. We're not the finished article against Accrington, but we will be by the last game of the season.
I just want us to build and improve game on game, and that is what you want from your team. To get off to a good start would be great. It's not everything, but it would be great.
Seeing the travelling support...
I am sure that we will have a brilliant following from Gillingham. I am astounded by the support that we get. I know that the terrace behind the goal, with no roof on it, and to see the Gills fans there getting behind us will be a proud moment for me. I just hope that I can deliver a result for them that they are happy with.
