Gareth Ainsworth was pleased with how Gillingham dealt with Colchester’s attacking threat during the 1-1 draw on Monday night but is determined to start turning draws into wins.
Conor Masterson played in his first game since August, which Ainsworth was delighted with. The Gills boss also commended the hard work that the centre-back put into his recovery and is glad to have his leadership back on the pitch.
Ainsworth discussed the season so far, with Gillingham now at the halfway point of the campaign. He also looked ahead to the first two fixtures of 2026.
Dealing with Colchester’s attacking threat…
They are a good side and in good form. We thought that would come, and they have a couple of forwards on loan, who are doing really well. They obviously have powerful boys at the top end of the pitch and counter-attack really well. We knew all of these things, and it happened a few weeks ago when we played them, so I warned the boys and told them exactly what to expect. We knew what was coming.
We are pleased that we didn’t get beat, but I want to win my home games. There has been no secret about that. We want to get this goal scoring at home, but we were pleased with the performance in the second-half.
Having Conor Masterson back on the pitch …
We lost him in the second game of the season, which was something that nobody wants to see. He got a calf injury in the second game against Walsall, and honestly, he has been through a tough few months, Conor. Being in a boot and out of a boot, he has been desperate to play, but we have had to keep the reins on him. This was the right timing, and I thought that he did very well.
He is a player that you can rely on. He’s the leader, and he encourages the rest of the boys, and he talks, and I think that we have missed him at times.
He was as down as anyone when we conceded that penalty. I think that he wanted to be on the winning side on his return, but the few months that he has been through has been really tough, and he has worked his socks off to get back. I’m really pleased to have Conor back in the squad.
His assessment at the halfway point of the season…
I’m pleased with how the club looks. We’ve narrowed it down to what we need and what we can be better at. We’re very solid, and we have a group of lads that will scrap for each other like you wouldn’t believe, and are proud to put this shirt on and will empty the tank. In recent times, I think that has been questioned, but absolutely not at all. They are right up for the fight and right up for putting everything out there. That’s what you want as a manager, and I think that as a fan as well, that’s all that you want to see.
Of course, you want great goals and want to win games 5-0 all the time, but if you can’t get that, at least you are getting the passion, the energy and the togetherness.
The upcoming two games over the New Year…
I’m looking forward to both games, now- Swindon and Notts County. Hopefully, we can get something from both.
They are two away games, and I know that the away fans for us will travel in numbers. I know that it’s a big game for them, and a passionate game.
Then, Notts County, we look forward to going up there. It’s a nice pitch and a nice stadium. We beat them earlier in the season, and it’s of no bearing on what we will do now, but we have good memories against Notts as well.
