Gareth Ainsworth is hoping that Gillingham can pick up their first home win of the season this Saturday as they welcome unbeaten Tranmere Rovers to the MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
Darrell Clarke's side travel to ME7 off the back of a 2-0 win at home to Oldham last Saturday, and Ainsworth spoke positively about the Tranmere boss, who he considers a friend in the game. Saturday's visitors brought in some experienced names throughout the summer, and Ainsworth knows that his side are going to have to be more than prepared if they are to take all three points.
The Gills boss is hoping that he can begin to turn Priestfield into a fortress, acknowledging that it is something that needs addressing. However, he realises that the next two home fixtures are fantastic opportunities to build towards that target.
The 53-year-old provided injury updates on Zech Obiero and Will Goodwin, who were forced off in the win at Rochdale. Ainsworth delivered positive news on Goodwin's diagnosis, and also discussed the likes of Zane Albarus and Bradley Dack as they continue their recovery from their respective injuries.
The tough test this Saturday...
It will be a tough challenge. Darrell Clarke, we go back a long way. I have managed against him a lot. I think that we got into management at similar times, and his Bristol Rovers teams were synonymous with him. He has had a few clubs and been around; he is a real top guy. I consider him a friend, and we have some good chats after the games.
I know that he is going to be a fierce competitor, and his team will be as well. They have signed some decent players from higher levels. The likes of Tom Ince coming in and [Will] Vaulks, and people like that. You think, 'They are good signings for League Two.' We are going to have to be on it and have to be ready.
The importance of beginning to win at home...
I want to start winning at Gillingham, because the Northampton game we should have won, and the Walsall game we should have been right in there. Somehow, it got away from us. I want to start winning, because we are looking good in the league. I think that we are the best away team in the league at the moment, form-wise. That is something to be proud of, but let's start winning at Priestfield.
Since I have come in, this hasn't been the fortress that I want it to be. This is my team now. This is what looks like my team. I can feel it. This is what I want to turn Priestfield into - this winning territory for us. Hopefully, that will start Saturday.
On Eli King...
He was superb when he came on. He has been out with a cruciate for probably nine months. He has only played in a couple of first-team games for Cardiff in the early stages of pre-season, which really aren't a massive bearing on anything; then he has played 75 minutes in an under-23 games, which again, you don't get the intensity that you do in first-team games. He wasn't fully ready. He was undercooked, and we are doing our best in making sure that he is ready.
I thought that he was sensational for the 73 minutes that he got. It is exciting to see somebody who gets on the ball like that. I think that we have been crying out for that a little bit. He has a good stature on him and finds a pass, but does it in such a way that he takes players out of the game. It is a special talent.
Eli has this knack of removing players from the game and bypassing players. That is a real good trait to have. He is a special player, and hopefully, we can get the best out of him.
Injury updates...
Will [Goodwin] is nowhere near [as bad] what we thought it was, so that is great. Will is going to be fine. Zech [Obiero] is going to be out for a few weeks... I have never known anyone do what he has done as an injury. He was running at full pelt, and he got a nudge, and it just put him off balance a bit. He has done damage to his legs in that way.
[On Zane Albarus] - Very close. He is on the grass.
Ethan Coleman is out there, and Bradley Dack is out there.
Right now, I am just concentrating on who is fit and what team I can put out, and making sure that they are on it for these next few games. Tranmere and Bristol Rovers are two big games at home, and we want to make a mark, definitely.
