Gillingham winger Jayden Clarke believes that the intense competition for spots will enhance his performances.
The 23-year-old made his first league start of the season in Gillingham’s 1-0 win at Morecambe last Saturday, setting up George Lapslie for the decisive goal.
With strong contenders on the bench, players returning from injury, and Bradley Dack working on his fitness, Clarke understands the need to make the most of his opportunities.
“Everyone knows that now,” Clarke stated. “Your position is always up for grabs when you’re in the team. When you’re not in the team, you need to be ready.
“It can change quickly—I wasn’t starting last week but did this week. You must stay at the top of your game because things can shift fast.
“It was my first start in a while, but I think I performed well and gave a good account of myself. It’s been a while since I’ve played a full 90 minutes, but we secured the three points, which is the main thing.
“I did a lot of work over the summer and feel better for it. I hope to build on it, having gotten my first assist and aiming for more goals and assists. I’ve set myself a little goal, but I’ll keep that to myself!”
Under a new manager, Clarke acknowledges there’s room for improvement but is optimistic about the squad’s potential.
“It’s still early days, but the boys are enjoying it,” he said. “We need to take it game by game and see where that leads us. With the new manager, every moment on the training pitch is valuable.
“Right now, it’s been in glimpses, but I’m confident that with more work together, we’ll see more consistency. It’s been good under him so far.
“Everyone understands their own role and also what others are expected to do. In the past, uncertainty sometimes led to confusion, but now the instructions are clear, and everyone has a strong grasp of their own and others’ responsibilities.”
Clarke appreciates Jonny Williams’ guidance from his time at Priestfield and looks forward to learning from Bradley Dack. He also draws inspiration from Jack Nolan’s performances at Accrington last season.
“Jack Nolan did really well last year and is a similar age to me,” Clarke noted. “I get along well with him, and I try to learn from his approach.
“My main goal is to get as many minutes as possible and build confidence. We saw the positive reaction on social media to Dack’s signing, and everyone is excited about it. We’re eager for him to contribute to our victories. I hope to gain insights from Bradley, just as Jonny Williams has been a great mentor with his experience.”
