Gareth Ainsworth is expecting a tough test on Saturday as Gillingham travel to Fleetwood Town for their final game before Christmas.
Both teams sit level on points in the League Two table, and Ainsworth admits that they need to start turning the run of draws into victories ahead of a busy Christmas schedule, knowing that his side needs to keep pace with the chasing pack at the top end of the table.
Nelson Khumbeni is expected to miss a game or two due to the shoulder injury he suffered in the closing moments against Barrow. However, the Gills boss provided a positive update on multiple returning players heading into the busy festive period.
Ainsworth showed his appreciation to the supporters who will be making the long journey to Lancashire, and is hoping to see a busy MEMS Priestfield Stadium after Christmas.
Looking to Fleetwood on Saturday...
They have done really well. Pete Wild has gone in there and changed quite a bit. I have spoken with him a couple of times, but have never come across him as a manager. This will be our first one. He has his standards, and he has his values. Of course, his teams work hard and are organised. Ched Evans and [Ryan] Graydon up front are a threat, but they have got some rotation in their squad if they need it.
It's always a tough place to go. We have played at Fleetwood many times in my time at Wycombe, even in the play-offs for promotion to the Championship, and that was a tough time to go up there. The conditions, and the wind, and the rain; being a north-west boy, I know what that is all about. It can be hard work. We have got to bring all of this to the mix, and we have got to be solid, but I want us to go and score more goals. I want us to go and open teams up a bit more, just like we did in the first half against Barrow.
Turning draws into wins...
It's a tough place to go, without a doubt. You often say that you would take a point away from home, but I have taken a point in the last five games, and I am getting sick of taking points. I want to take three points! Bringing back something on the road is always nice.
The league has never been closer. It has been one of the most open League Two seasons that I have seen in years, and we are right in the mix. It's nice to be looking up, thinking, 'let's catch somebody.' That's fine as well. I am looking forward to it, but I want to start winning some games.
I would have preferred five wins on the spin, not five draws! Hopefully, one will come, and a few will come. We will go up there, and we want to be solid and want to bring something home, but I do want to start winning some games.
Team news...
[On Nelson Khumbeni's injury] - His shoulder popped out on a challenge towards the end of the Barrow game. I felt for him because he came on and tried to make an impact and was tearing around everywhere, and ended up jumping into one of the players and going over. You see it often, where someone leverages you, and he went over on his shoulder, and as he has tried to stop himself from falling, he has popped his shoulder out. Nelson is going to be out for a bit.
But Conor [Masterson], Vokesy [Sam Vokes], Josh Andrews, Marcus Wyllie and Euan Williams have all trained today, so that's really good. We have some options coming back, which is brilliant. Not just for Saturday, but for this four-game run that every manager is looking at and going, 'Wow, this is going to stretch us to the limit.' It is brilliant to have all of those back. Someone like Conor, what a character for the squad, and to have him back is big, but the two big men as well, it is a treat to see them training.
The support over the Christmas period...
To the fans that are planning on going up there, thank you so much, because Christmas is just around the corner, and everyone else will be Christmas shopping, getting their last-minute stuff in, and you are coming to support the Gills. I cannot express how impressed I am with that. That is brilliant. I know that there are a few that will make the trip.
I am hoping that we get good crowds over the Christmas period, but the Fleetwood game is next. Let's get up there and try to get all three points. This time of year is a challenging one for football, but I am looking forward to it now.
