Gillingham got their promotion chase back on track last Saturday and the manager wants their supporters to be the best in the league, too.
The Gills ended a six-game winless run in League 2 by beating leaders Port Vale at Priestfield. Boss Mark Bonner enjoyed the atmosphere at ME7 – but wants more from his team and the fans.
Bonner said: “I think when we’re at our best, certainly in the first half an hour [last Saturday], it was brilliant going that way [towards the Rainham End].
“Second half, when there’s a period where we’re 1-0 up, there’s 20 minutes to go. I want a bit more, if I’m honest.
“They’ll want more from the team and I want more from them in their moments. I could hear a pin drop in certain situations. You think, ‘come on, if we’re going to do this, let’s do it together’.
“We’ve got to be a rowdy bunch all the time and so that’s what we’ve got to do.
“That’s me after one win in eight, giving it a little bit, but I’m proud of the players and I’m proud of the supporters.
“I’m pleased for them because it’s horrible when you turn up and you’re not sure what your team’s going to do and when you don’t get a result. They’ve stuck with us really well through this period.
“Those that have kept backing it and can see that there’s something building, that know we’re struggling a little bit in a few situations, we’ve got to thank them because they’ve been magnificent.”
The Gills started the season in impressive form, topping the table at the end of September before their results took a turn for the worse, losing five straight games in the league.
That losing run ended with a draw at Swindon and a 1-0 win last weekend. They don’t play this Saturday due to international call-ups for scheduled opponents Walsall and return to action at Priestfield against Harrogate on November 23.
“I want to push these individuals to get better,” said Bonner.
“I want to push these fans to be the best atmosphere in the league, regardless of the numbers that are here, from start to finish, whatever’s happening on the pitch. That’ll be class for us if we can do that.
“In moments like this, when you have tough runs and you get through them, which [I said last week] that we will, we didn’t know when, but we will get through it because there’s too many good people for us not to get through it.
“You become stronger and you build better connections and more resilience as a club, as a team, as a fanbase and connection with a team.
“That will be the outcome of this and the key will be how we then respond in the weeks ahead.
“I’m really pleased with that result and I’m really pleased with everybody, when you do stick at it and stick together, which I think has been (done) very well.
“The whole club, the players, the staff and the supporters, that’s a super strength, really. We need to keep building on that.”
