Gillingham host a team second from bottom and without a point from their last five away outings – but the manager isn’t expecting a walkover.
The Gills are in poor form themselves, on a winless run that even experienced boss John Coleman hasn’t experienced before, but fans will be hoping for a first win in 14 games this Saturday against their lowly opponents.
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Coleman’s confident his men will deliver for his first win as Gillingham manager, at the 10th attempt, which would be a much-needed morale boost for the club.
The Gills were held to a goalless draw by bottom side Carlisle last weekend and the manager warned: “People just think Morecambe are second from bottom like they thought, I’m not saying our fans, but people in general will think Carlisle are bottom, Morecambe are second from bottom, it’s a cake-walk.
“Morecambe won’t come and roll over, that’s for sure.”
“These clubs are fighting for their lives. They are probably more of a difficult opponent than a team who sit 12th in the league. We’ve got to do everything we can and everything in our power but we’ve got to go into that game positive.
“If I was down there as low as them I’d be fighting for my life.
“We’ve got to get to the points total that we think is necessary (to avoid a relegation scrap) and we’ve got to do it as quickly as possible.
“We can’t say there’s another chance next week and then another chance because before you know where you are there’s no more chances. We’ll be fighting every inch of the way on Saturday in what I know is going to be a difficult game.
“I know Derek’s team quite well, I get on quite well with Derek (Adams, the Morecambe boss). We know the way they’ll set up, they’ll know the way we’ll set up and it’ll be a tough game but it’s one that I know we’re capable of winning.
“We’ve got to turn our better performances into a better output in points.”
Coleman isn’t hiding away from the threat of relegation.
Win and they move 12 points clear – lose and it could be down to six.
“It’s a massive game,” he said.
“We’ve got to realise that the threat of relegation is there and we don’t want to be drawn into that.
“We’ve got to be aware that if we don’t pick up results, we will be in that. That’s the harsh reality of football.
“There’s not just us in that situation by the way, there’s probably about eight or nine teams who could fall into that category. We don’t want to be one of them.
“The only way you’re not going to be one of them is by winning games.
“You’ve got to be a realist. I hate it when you’re challenging for promotion and they say ‘don’t mention the P-word’. That’s your prize, keep your eye on the prize.
“At this moment in time our prize is to get away from that relegation zone as quickly as possible.
“I’ll mention it every day because if you know what you’re striving for you’ve got a better chance of reaching it. If you don’t know where you’re going it’s a damn sight harder to find than if you do know where you’re going.”
The Gills have defender Conor Masterson and striker Marcus Wyllie back training following injury and Coleman isn’t short of options if he wants to make changes.
He left Liverpool loanee Dom Corness out of the squad on Tuesday while Jonny Williams and Peterborough loan striker Jacob Wakeling are both also available.
Robbie McKenzie escaped serious harm when he was sent crashing into the pitchside LED boards on Tuesday night.
Coleman said: “He was okay and just managed to get his arm out in time, which was lucky for everyone really – and the advertising board!”
The manager said on Thursday that both Euan Williams and Ethan Coleman have had setbacks to their injury recoveries while loan striker Asher Agbinone remains with Crystal Palace doing rehab work following a hamstring injury.
The Gills will know more on the time-frame of his return in the next few weeks and expect him to be back at some points this season.
