A sense of pride was the overriding emotion for Gareth Ainsworth after his side ran out 4-1 winners against Chesterfield at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday.
The Gillingham manager is happy with the development he is seeing from his entire squad as the early stages of the season continue to roll on, and he realises how much every player involved gave to the cause to ensure the win.
It was another different defensive line for the Gills, with Andy Smith, Robbie McKenzie and Sam Gale occupying the back three. Ainsworth thought they were immense in their efforts and is pleased with the strong defensive depth he has in his squad.
Lenni Cirino made his first competitive start for the Football Club, capping his debut off with a goal. The Gills boss was delighted for Cirino, but pointed out that there is plenty of work ahead for the young left-back.
It was also a dream night for Marcus Wyllie, who scored his first league goal for Gillingham. Ainsworth was elated for the forward to finally get off the mark, commending the hard work Wyllie puts in behind the scenes.
Sam Vokes made his Gills debut, replacing Josh Andrews in the second half. Ainsworth was pleased to see the former Wales international get back onto the pitch and discussed the positive impact he will also have off the pitch.
Thoughts on the win...
Total, total pride, and a real enjoyment of what I am seeing and how I am seeing this team develop. Not just this team, but this squad. How I am seeing this squad develop is fabulous. They are showing me things that I didn't question, but I thought, have they got this? They're showing me that they have.
The depth that some of those boys went to today to get that result today is phenomenal. There are some unsung heroes, and some sung heroes. It was a really nice performance against a really strong Chesterfield side, who are going to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, without a shadow of a doubt. They are a quality side, which makes it an even better win.
I think that we were solid. It wasn't lucky, and it wasn't anything but a quality home performance. I was really, really proud of that.
The defensive depth in the team...
They were immense. The unsung heroes. I've said a lot about Sam Gale and what I think of him, but Andy Smith and Robbie McKenzie, wow. Not a foot wrong today. They are really, really assured players. We have got Shadrach Ogie and Conor Masterson still in the wings. Max Clark didn't play today. We have got some real good decisions to make now, and I am really happy with where we are.
Lenni Cirino's debut...
Lenni Cirino suffered with injuries at Blackburn and has probably been held on for too long for his career at Blackburn to develop. He should have probably played 50 first-team games by now, but he hasn't. That's his debut, but what a way to cap your debut. I thought that there is some learning for him. Believe me, I will be going through that with him because there is still some stuff for him to learn.
What a moment for him to go through like that, and he's not known for his strength, but he is holding off two defenders and slams it into the goal.
It's going to be a learning process for him this season, but to end up in that position, running towards the Rainham End on your league debut with the keeper to beat and slamming it into the goal like he did. It's the stuff of dreams. He's never going to forget that. I am just hoping the photographers got hold of some shots, because that was a special moment for Lenni. You saw how much that meant to him.
Marcus Wyllie after scoring his first league goal...
On Marcus Wyllie, I've believed in that boy. He gives me everything, and that's all that I need. The goal is an extra. People will say that he's a centre forward and should score, but he came on and did a job for the team, and he got his goal. You saw the celebrations at the end around Marcus, the lads love him to bits.
He said, 'Thanks for believing in me, Gaffer,' and I said, 'It's you, it's not me.' It's easy to do it when you work like you do.
Sam Vokes making his debut and the impact he will have...
Sam Vokes is a quality player. To have him at Gillingham is a real coup for us. I think that he showed some quality. He is a mentor as well as a good player. We brought him in for that.
He had some good touches, and I think he will get some goals, but we have got to be very careful with him. I am sure that Sam will admit that he's not up for 90 minutes every week. We will do it right. Back to my Sports Science team, they will manage him well.
