Gillingham striker Joe Gbode says his confidence is sky-high after scoring his first goal in the Football League on Saturday.
The 19-year-old came off the bench to make his 27th league appearance for the Gills against Notts County in what’s been a breakthrough season for the striker.
Gbode headed home Armani Little’s corner on 80 minutes against the Magpies but the Gills were already 2-0 down before that goal and were unable to score again.
A 2-1 defeat meant Gbode’s goal and the man-of-the-match award was overshadowed but the young striker is hoping to start reveling in the extra confidence it’s given him.
He said: “I’m just relieved because it’s taken me so long to get that first goal. I’ve come close quite a few times but it’s just never really happened.
“As soon as the ball came in from Amani Little I just powered my way through and got my head in it. I knew it was mine.
“It’s a big weight off my shoulders. I’m a player who just needs that little bit of good fortune. I reckon the goals will now start flowing because I have that confidence.
“Before, I’d shy away a little bit from making that little burst into the box, because of the fact that I haven’t scored, but now I’ve got it every time I see an opportunity, I’m just going to try and take it.
“[The goal] meant a lot. It felt like a long time coming. I was just like, ‘come on, finally.’ You just need that good fortune and I had it. Right now, my confidence is higher than it’s ever been. My confidence is sky-high now.
“Every time there’s an opportunity to score a goal or make something happen, I’m going to try and do that as best I can.
“I’m hungry. I’m starving for more goals. Every time I see an opportunity where the goal’s open, I’m going to put it in there. I’m actually going to just go for it each and every single time.”
Gbode made his Gills debut in an FA Cup game against Cheltenham Town in November 2021. Later that same month he also played against Cheltenham in the same league game that Sam Gale made his debut.
Both Gbode and Gale were positives on a bad weekend where the Gills lost 2-1 to Notts County.
Gbode came off the bench and got stuck in straight away with a passionate display, getting the crowd going as he went toe-to-toe with visiting defender Rod McDonald.
He started with the Gills as a 14-year-old and will give everything to help his club win.
He said: “I understand that playing football in general, especially professional football, is a big opportunity, especially at a young age.
“I haven’t got as much leverage as the other senior pros, so it’s almost as if I’ve got to make up for it in certain areas. I’ve got to do more, especially in games and in training.
“I use that to work harder, to try and make things happen more often when I play. I try and take more risks when I’m playing. I try and make my presence known, not only on the pitch, but off the pitch in the changing room as well, at times.
“I understand what this manager wants from his forward players, and I just try to bring that each and every single time in training and in games.”
Gbode admits he’s still got lots to learn and hopes people can be patient.
He said: “I’ve been in and around the first team a couple of years but I’m still learning the game. People forget I’m still a teenager.
“The way people criticise me sometimes, it’s like they forget that.
“I’m still a young pro, I’m still figuring things out. I don’t even know certain things about myself as a player. I’m not going to be the finished article already.
“I’m still learning the game and I’m still developing.”
While Gbode is receiving positive praise for his efforts, so is another young player Gale at the other end of the pitch.
He said: “I’ve been playing with Galey for a long time. Ever since I came to this academy, he’s been there.
“He’s always had the ability, the tenacity to go very far. I feel like he can go and play at any level that he aims to play at, even the highest level. He’s got the qualities.
“I just believe that he’s destined for great things. He’s a fantastic player. He’s got personality, he’s got character.
“Even in the changing room, despite his age, he’s quite popular in the changing room. I’m not surprised by the success he’s having.”
Gbode is still hoping they can have a successful season despite their current situation.
The Gills are 17th in the league and without a win in eight but he said: “We’re very confident that we can still make something happen this season.
“People are writing us off but I feel like with the changing room that we have, it’s the best change room I’ve been in so far. Everyone’s together.
“There’s lots of characters, lots of quality. I think when that little bit of fortune comes our way, then we’re just going to get that confidence boost and then we’re just going to start winning games.
“Football changes so quickly. You saw the way how we were top of the league and then next thing you know, we had a bad run of results and it can easily just switch the other way. It’s possible.”
