It’s about points over performances now for Gillingham defender Max Clark in the club’s League 2 play-off push.
The Gills, only outside the top seven on goal difference, will aim to build upon last weekend’s 3-2 victory at Morecambe as they play twice in 72 hours over Easter.
They welcome fifth-placed Crewe to Priestfield on Friday before Monday’s trip to Harrogate (both 3pm).
Clark said: “We’re at the time of the season now where it would be nice to have a nice performance, but we would rather get the three points.
“If it’s going to be a scruffy three points, it really doesn’t matter. As long as we stick together and find a way of winning, that’s the main thing.
“I’m sure the fans will back me up on that.”
Heading into the business end of the season, there’s only five points between seventh-placed Crawley and Harrogate, who sit 13th, in the race for the last play-off place.
“I feel like it’s been very tight,” admitted 28-year-old Clark.
“There’s some good teams and this season has been very competitive. With the teams that have come up and the teams that have come down, there’s some good teams in there.”
Eighth-placed Gillingham aren’t quite where they want to be, although plenty can change over the Easter double-header.
Clark said: “The position we’re in now, it makes it more exciting for us all – staff, fans and players. It’s where you want to be.
“This is why you want to play football because you want to be competing. You want the nerves, you want a bit of excitement.
“I think it’s the perfect way to go into this game and we will all be in it together. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Left-back Clark is enjoying a decent run in the side under boss Stephen Clemence.
He said: “I’ve enjoyed it. I’m just trying to take every game as it comes.
“But I’m enjoying playing.
“If I can help the team in any way, that’s the most important thing. When you are out of the squad, it’s difficult, but then it’s about how you react to it.
“We have got a team that will all react in the right manner. We all want the best for each other. Whatever XI we have out there, we all back each other and I think that’s important.
“That’s what makes you successful – staff, players and fans all coming together as one. You can see the fans that travel miles away for us.
“They have backed us all season and we need them to turn out in their numbers on Friday, which they usually do. They support us and back us.
“That does give us an extra man out there, especially at home.”
When the Gills met Crewe in early October, the hosts ran out 2-0 winners and Clark is expecting another real battle.
“It’ll be a good challenge,” he said. “I think they have got some good players, which we’ll be aware of.
“But we’ll focus on ourselves. It’s not about them, it’s about us, going into Friday. We need to take care of ourselves.
“We need to look after our business.”
There will be little time off for Gillingham’s players in between the two upcoming games – not that Clark, who has secured promotion to League 1 previously with Stevenage, minds too much.
He explained: “We’re not having a weekend off. We will be in, working, because after the Friday game, there’s the Monday game.
“At this stage of the season, there’s no time for weekends off. If we want to be successful, we need to work, we need to be together, we need to be around each other and I think – with the position we’re in – there’s no time to have days off.
“There’s time for working and a bit of togetherness.”
While his focus isn’t there just yet, Gills’ game against Harrogate will be a particularly special one for Yorkshire-born Clark.
He said: “A lot of my family are going to that game.
“It makes it more special, playing in front of them because it’s difficult for them to come here and watch me play.
“It will be good to get the three points against them, as well. As a Yorkshire lad, you always want to beat teams from where you come from, around there!
“It’ll be nice and it’ll be nice to see family in the crowd, as well.
“But I’m really looking forward to Friday first.”
