Joe Gbode scored Gillingham’s winner on Monday and manager Gareth Ainsworth’s looking forward to getting even more from the striker.
It’s a breakout season for the former Gills youth player and he smashed home the only goal of the game against AFC Wimbledon at Priestfield.
Report: Gillingham 1 AFC Wimbledon 0
It’s two goals in 38 appearances for the 20-year-old and Ainsworth knows they can get more from him.
He said: “Joe’s got a lot of work to do but he’s got the basics and the building blocks of a fantastic player.
“When he finishes like that, which we’ve seen in training, sometimes it’s here (in his head). It’s sorting that out, really, because he’s got all the physical stuff in the world. It’s getting that right, teaching him a few little bits.
“I’m so proud of him, really, really proud of him. He’s one of my boys and I’ll look after him.
“The way he led the line. I just thought that Joe took his opportunity and he’s great.
“We need a pre-season with him. Dobbo, my assistant, works tirelessly on techniques and finishing and that. Dobbo will be proud of that one because I know he’s been working a little bit with some of the forwards.
“We haven’t had a great amount of time, but that’ll be a nice one for him.
“I’m sure Dobbo will be dissecting it on video and telling me exactly what he did.
“If he keeps hitting goals like that, he’s going to be a great asset for Gillingham. I’m really pleased.”
Gbode came off the bench after just 15 minutes to replace Oli Hawkins.
“A special mention for Oli,” said the Gills boss.
“Oli has been waiting patiently to start. He came on the pitch, had done really well for us and been involved in a lot of goals but I think he breaks his finger and he’s tried to play on. I think it’s his hand he broke.
“He just said, ‘Gaffer, I can’t give you what you want with a broken hand’.
“He was trying to get injections, or tablets, or whatever it was to stay on that pitch but putting your hand up and saying, ‘Let someone else do it, they’ll do it better than me, because I’m struggling with this’. That’s amazing and that’s what I want.
“Oli’s a great lad, he’s going to be back in the team, no problem. But that selfless act is like, wow, that is brilliant.”
Ainsworth made wholesale changes upfront but Jimmy Jay-Morgan, who scored last time out, didn’t come off the bench and Crystal Palace loan man Asher Agbinone wasn’t involved.
It’s a juggling act for the manager.
He said: “I made a few changes, which I wanted to do. A little different system that we play. It keeps the opposition guessing, that’s what I like to do.
“Jimmy-Jay Morgan was the hero last week. He’s a Chelsea loanee. He’s probably not going to be here next year. He’s contracted with Chelsea.
“Asher as well. It’s really tough to leave him out of the squad because he’s a great lad. He’s got so much ability. But, again, he’s from Crystal Palace.
“It’s tough when you think these boys are going back to their loan clubs but we need to look at the boys who are here next year, and potentially here.
“Striking that balance is hard because I want to keep them all happy. I empathise with them all. I’ve been in all their positions but they can all enjoy that win.”
