Goalscoring defender Max Clark says the new manager’s positive vibes are already rubbing off on the team.
Gareth Ainsworth is the fifth permanent manager at Gillingham since Clark joined two years ago and he’s confident this one will be a success.
Clark scored from the penalty spot at Harrogate Town on Saturday to earn the Gills a point in a 1-1 draw.
Speaking afterwards, Clark said: “He’s so upbeat, so positive and confident and backs the lads. I think that’s what we love about him.
“He’s come in and put his stamp on things and just demands standards every day, whether you’re training, around the place, he just wants quality and wants you to respect everyone. I think that goes far.
“I think he’ll be a great success and we’re all enjoying working for him.
“It’s only been two or three days (training) and he’s already got us buzzing in the changing room.
“There was a good feeling in there before the game (on Saturday), and even during the build-up to the game we were all raring to go. It’s good. We’re looking forward to the next couple of games now.
“We’re all loving working for him and it’s enjoyable.
“We’ve only worked with him two days on the training pitch and we’ve got so much more to learn and what they want of us. I just like the way he works. He demands quality and standards and I think that’s something you want.
“He’s had a great career and it’s nice to work for someone like that, who’s been there and knows what it’s like to be on the pitch and moments where things are getting tough, he knows those scenarios and he knows what it’s about to be out there and he’s been at a top level.
“You see him on the bench, he’s lively, he loves it and you can see he kicks and heads every ball.
“He backs us and we back him so it’s a nice feeling, it’s refreshing and I think he’ll be a great success here. I’m looking forward to working with him for the rest of the season.”
Clark got the nod to stay in the team under Ainsworth and the new boss handed the defender penalty taking responsibility ahead of the weekend game.
A confidently dispatched spot-kick against Harrogate showed it was a good decision.
Clark said: “We had a meeting (on Saturday) morning and he just said, ‘I fancy you on penalties. Do you fancy taking them?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, definitely.’
“He backed me on penalties and it’s a nice feeling. I don’t think we’ve had many penalties this season and I was buzzing when it came. I was confident and I knew straight away where I wanted it.”
Clark was nursing a head injury from the previous week and came through Saturday’s game without damaging the cut above his left eye anymore. He’s having the stitches out before Tuesday’s game with Colchester United.
Ainsworth has praised the defender’s attitude to the game, with an all-in mentality.
Clark said: “I went up for a header last week and got caught but these things happen. I love it, I just love getting out there and just trying to work my hardest.
“Some games it goes for you, some games it doesn’t, but as long as I’ve put everything out there, I think that’s non-negotiable.
“I think he sees that in the team and as long as we go out there and put a real shift in for the fans, that’s what he says, the fans are coming to travel, you need to make sure you put a shift in and you go out and clap them at the end and show them that you’ve grafted enough for the club.”
Clark celebrated in front of the 500 fans who followed them to Harrogate on Saturday – a decent turnout for a team sitting 19th in the table and struggling for goals.
Clark said: “It’s unbelievable, honestly, when you see them behind the goal. They’ve backed us all season.
“It gives us a boost when we’re behind. They always turn up in numbers and we have to be thankful for them. We can’t ask any more from them, to be honest. It’s been like that all season.
“To get the goal and get the point for them, it was good for us.
“We’ll keep moving forward. We’re looking forward to getting in this week and we’ve got another game Tuesday.
“We’ll watch the game back and we’ll see where we can hurt Colchester on Tuesday.
“Everyone needs to chip in with goals. Luckily, I’ve done that for the last two away games, but the points are more important to me than goals. It was nice, though. It was a nice feeling. To have my family there as well, so it was good.”
Clark also praised his friend and team-mate Robbie McKenzie who was captain at Harrogate after Armani Little missed out through suspension.
“I loved it,” he said. “Robbie’s a top professional and I think he’s been here five, six years now, but he does things right every day and he’s a good lad.
“He goes about his business and puts in a shift every week and he’s a great lad. I absolutely love Robbie.
“He’s one of my best mates in the team so it’s so happy to see him be captain.
“He’s shown the quality he has as well and he’s done really well this season. He’s popped up with goals, vital goals. I enjoy playing with Robbie and I was buzzing for him”
