Gillingham’s new boy Jack Nolan admits he’d be happy with half the numbers he managed with former side Accrington last season.
Nolan left Gillingham’s League 2 rivals this summer and showed what he’s about last weekend with a well-taken goal in a 2-0 win against Championship outfit Watford, firing in after running at the defence.
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It’s what he did all season in League 2 at Stanley, where he managed 17 goals and nine assists during the season.
“I am always confident in my ability that I can go and do that again,” said the winger.
“Even if I have half the season that I had last year I would take that. But, for me, the main thing is the team and winning games and if I can help that with goals or assists and contributing then that is better for the team and myself as well.
“It was nice to get my first goal for the club, even if it’s in pre-season, but at the moment it’s about ticking off minutes. It is about ramping up the minutes and, hopefully, everyone pulls through that.”
Nolan scored in front of the Rainham End. The next time he gets to play at Priestfield will be on Saturday, August 10 when the Gills kick off their League 2 season at home to Carlisle United.
He said: “The fans turned up in good numbers for both of the [home] pre-season games [against Millwall and Watford] and hopefully when we play Carlisle in the first game of the season they back us in their numbers and the job for us is to repay that by winning.
“We all want the season to start. As players, I think you hate the pre-season with all the running and the fitness side of it but it’s a season I am looking forward to, personally. I’m delighted to be here and hopefully I can carry my form from last season into this season.
“That goal (against Watford) is me to a tee, that’s what I like to do, that is what my game’s about.
“For me, it was a real confidence booster to get my first one out of the way, even in pre-season, but it’s about ticking off more minutes, getting more minutes into the legs and getting myself ready.
“When you come into a new team you want to build relationships quickly and I have done that with the squad on the pitch and we’re all getting used to the gaffer’s ideas.
“I have loved it here, the lads have taken to me well, it’s a great group with some really talented players in that group and the pre-season window. Now it is about bonding together ready for the League 2 campaign.
“We are all bonding and gelling, there is a real togetherness in the group that will hopefully put us in good stead going into the start of the season and throughout.”
