Gareth Ainsworth knows that there is work still to do after Gillingham were beaten by League One Luton Town 3-0 in the Carabao Cup on Saturday.
The Gills boss spoke about the quality that Luton possess and is confident that they will have a strong season. However, he admits that his side need to be more difficult to score against, and will be going through the video analysis to ensure things improve ahead of the first league game against Walsall next Saturday.
The Football Club announced the signing of Owen Mason shortly before kick-off with the goalkeeper signing on an emergency loan from Mansfield, and Ainsworth explained the process of how an emergency signing gets done.
Ainsworth discussed the importance that the Football Club's younger players will have this season, as they continue their development in the professional game. He was pleased to get the likes of Sheldon Kendall, Conor McManus, Logan Dobbs, Sully Booth and Zane Albarus minutes, as he expects that trend to continue throughout the campaign.
The 53-year-old also touched upon the players who are expected to return from their injuries soon, and who the captain might be for the new season.
On the afternoon as a whole...
We were okay, but not at full tilt today. I felt that there was a little bit of pre-season still about us. I am glad that it has happened today in the Carabao Cup because I think that Luton are a super team. I think that they will beat most teams in both of the bottom leagues. I think that they will be in the Championship come 27/28. I really do believe that, because I thought that they were very good at settling the ball, they had pace in their team, and the subs who came on strengthened them, if anything.
We were a little bit easy to score against, and I don't want that. We have to be more resilient, more tenacious, win every header, win every tackle, and win everything. There were some decent performances in there. Some real eye openers, and we had a few senior debuts today, with Logan Dobbs, Zane Albarus and Conor McManus. They were making senior football leaps, which is big for them. Will Goodwin, as well, needs to get a run of games.
I am okay with that. I am not too down, but I will be going through the video and making sure that we're not too easy to score against.
I knew that chances would be few and far between today because they are such a good side... It's onto next week now and Walsall.
On Owen Mason signing on emergency loan...
He trained a lot with us in the last couple of days, but not a lot when you consider that he has not been here for pre-season. There are all sorts of protocols that you have to go through to get an emergency loan in. Proving that your keeper is injured and you haven't got anyone who has played more than five league games. There are all of these rules that apply for emergency loans.
I felt for him because he has only come in a couple of days, and he has done fine.
On returning players...
We get some players back next week. Liam Gordon served a one-match suspension that carried over from Scotland, which hurt us. Obviously, Ollie Wright is getting closer and closer, Armani Little, Garath McCleary, Bradley Dack and Cameron Antwi. We have got quite a few coming back, even Ethan Coleman.
We have got players coming back who are experienced that I think will make us tougher and stronger.
The younger players playing a role in the first team...
We might have to go through a bit of inexperience on the pitch at times just to get these players up to minutes and to know what is happening, but I thought that they did okay. I am pleased with some of the young boys. I think that the pre-season has been quite good, and I think that you will be seeing a few of them throughout the season.
On the captaincy...
We will wait and see, but I will announce it next week.
Gareth's exclusive interview with Gills TV can be seen here.
