Gareth Ainsworth is hoping that his Gillingham side can get back to winning ways on SAturday as Oldham Athletic visit the MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
The Gills manager commended the work that Oldham boss Micky Mellon has done, knowing that they will pose a difficult challenge. However, Ainsworth will be working hard to ensure that his side are fully prepared.
With the squad nearly back to full fitness, the competition for places has continued to grow. That is something that the boss is pleased about despite it making his job tougher when selecting his XI.
The 52-year-old provided an update on Nelson Khumbeni and Conor Masterson, who continue their recovery from injury. He also touched upon a big moment for academy player Nayan Grant, who was called up to the Bermuda Under-20 squad.
On Saturday’s game…
Oldham did brilliantly to get out of the National League last year, and Micky [Mellon] has done a brilliant job with them. The leagues are quite close with the National League and League Two.
Oldham have done really well. They’re a north-west club, an ex-Premier League club when I was young, a big club and a big following. They have a good manager, Micky knows what he is doing, and it will be a tough test for us on Saturday.
We’re back at home, and I want to win the game without a doubt. I want to give the Gills fans something to shout about, as the last two games have been a little bit of damp squibs, with set piece goals and 1-0 defeats away from home on the road, and a cold evening.
I don’t want to come up short on Saturday. I want to make sure that we are clinical and good going forward, but really solid at the back. Any little worries that I have got we will work on over the next couple of days, and I am sure Micky will come down and give us a good test, but I am going for the win on Saturday.
Competition for places in the squad...
There are six out of the squad at the moment, and they are really hard to manage, as I want to involve everyone. I feel for them. I do feel for them. There are people training hard and training well. Everyone has got to make every moment count, so my selection for that squad is going to be a tough one. We have had the same squad for a couple of games now, but I have got some people knocking on my door saying, 'Look, Gaffer, I want to show you what I can do.'
Competition is high for places; it always is, and that is great as a manager. I am the unlucky one that has to leave people out or put people in, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Updates on Nelson Khumbeni and Conor Masterson...
Both are still out. They will both still be out this weekend. I think that Nelson is a bit closer than Conor, and I am looking forward to them both joining the squad again.
On Nayan Grant being called up to the Bermuda Under-20 squad...
He is a cracking lad, and his physical attributes are really good. He is quick, strong, and gallops up and down the right hand side of the pitch, which he has become very accustomed to.
We wish him all the best, we really do. It’s an honour to represent your country, and I am sure that his family will be very proud. We wish Nayan all the best in his game.
