Gareth Ainsworth knows that he will need to have his side totally prepared for the threats that Steve Evans' Bristol Rovers will present on Saturday.
Ainsworth credited his opposition for their recruitment over the summer, and knows they will be a strong side. However, he has the confidence in his team to go out and match them.
The Gills boss discussed the work that occurs on the touchline between him and his coaching staff during games, with one decision against Tranmere Rovers ultimately swinging the tie in Gillingham's favour.
Ainsworth provided some updates on his squad ahead of the weekend, with the likes of Will Goodwin and Zane Albarus close to making a return.
On Steve Evans and Bristol Rovers...
We have got to make sure that we know what his teams are about. I have to prepare the lads right. He has done really well with recruitment. Some good players have come in, and everyone talks about money spent and things like that, but you have to do it in the right way. Steve is a good manager.
His team will be strong. They have proved it already this season. They have had some great scalps, and hopefully, we will be respected as well, which I am sure that we will.
I am super confident with my boys. They are in a good place at the moment. Hopefully, we can get one over on them.
Collaborating with the coaching staff...
I have to give some credit to my coaching staff. Pete [Gill] and Stevey [Craig] are both chucking ideas and talking to each other, and then they will chuck an idea at me. Then it's up to me on whether I take that idea on or I don't take it on.
One of the ideas was, let's stretch them a little bit with a bit of pace and Garath McCleary coming on the pitch. I thought that it was a great shout, so dropping Ronan [Hale] slightly further back and putting Garath on to run the line, I thought, was the changing point in the game.
Ronan obviously created the first and scored the second, but Garath played a big part in both goals as well.
The players in the squad stepping up to the challenge due to injuries...
It is tough as a young person to come in and cement your place; it really is, especially in the modern game. The academies, they bleed them really well for their teams. Many players, in the Premier League especially, if they don't get in the Premier League, they struggle to get lower down.
I am really proud of some of the loans that we have got as well. Jack [Daley], Sheldon [Kendall] and Lamin [Sillah]. They have come in and really fit in well to a league that they are all not used to.
It's hard for them to drop down levels and go, 'Right, let's get used to this game quickly.' They have, and it is a testament to them and the clubs that they have come from.
To add to that, my young players are really stepping up. It's great for Gillingham Academy because we have got so many academy graduates now who have had first-team appearances. I can't think that there will be many more teams with more than we've got at the moment. That is something to be proud of.
The 'he is one of our own' song was sung as loud as it could when Logan Dobbs got his first goal in front of the Rainham End. Things that dreams are made of, so long may that continue.
Team News...
[On Ronan Hale] - We are hoping. That is all that I can say on Ronan. Let's see where he is. He is a tough lad, but he took a hell of a whack on his ankle. We will assess it throughout the week.
We have got some really able deputies in Ronan's position. In both places. Will Goodwin's very close to being back now, and Lamin Sillah, who we got from [Nottingham] Forest, is really impressing in training. We have got cover, but we will see how Ronan is this week.
There is definitely a chance of players being back this weekend. Bradley Dack picked up a little minor setback, but nothing major. Will Goodwin is really close, and Zane Albarus is really close. There will hopefully be one or two new faces in the squad this weekend.
If not, your Michael Luxton's and your Sully Booth's will be put on that bench with total faith that they will do a job for me.
Gareth’s exclusive with Gills TV can be seen here.
