Gillingham midfielder Ethan Coleman’s got mixed feelings about having this weekend off.
A chance for some rest and relaxation doesn’t come around too often in a season but the break comes just as the Gills looked to have seen off a bad run of form.
Impressive cup performances against League 1 opponents Blackpool and Stevenage have come either side of a win against their own division’s leaders Port Vale.
The Gills climbed back up to eighth place ahead of this weekend, just a point and a place outside of the League 2 play-off places.
Coleman said: “This weekend I’ll be chilling out after a big day on Friday, getting some fitness stuff done, and then we can crack on next week.
“It was massive for us to get that win against Port Vale. We needed that under our belts, especially after drawing the Swindon game. We didn’t need that.
“We’ve come out of it the other side and now we can really push on.
“I think because we’ve got so many injuries having this break is a good time for us. We’ve got time to really go again and push on.
“As much as you probably want a game this weekend, because we’re now getting this momentum back and we want to get the momentum back to win game after game after game, we can reset and get a good training weekend.
“I think I’ll just spend the time with my girlfriend. She would like some time, just me and her, so it’d be nice.
“It’s difficult for them because we’re playing Saturdays, Tuesdays and we’re always just thinking about football.
“So, for us to have a weekend off, it’s nice for the mind, you could say. But when you’re in this season at this point, you want to push on and still keep that momentum.”
Coleman missed pre-season and the start of the campaign through injury and has just overcome another niggle so will be one of those who could do with a little recharge.
The return to winning ways against Port Vale came after a difficult period in the league where the Gills had lost five in a row, ending that run with a draw at Swindon.
Coleman said: “It was really difficult at that point because you’re scrapping at that point. You’re probably not playing your normal game.
“You need to dig out a win and that’s what we were doing at Swindon. We came out with a draw at that game.
“The gaffer and the boys worked well with us over those weeks, gave us confidence, didn’t dwell too much on it and got the result of Port Vale, which was massive.
“I think it’s important to keep that momentum and you want to keep playing and keep that confidence, going into games thinking you’re going to win. That’s where we need to be at as a squad. If we get that back, like we need, then we should be all good.”
