A relentless debut showing from Gillingham newcomer Seb Palmer-Houlden should be the norm, according to the striker.
Palmer-Houlden made a strong first impression in Gillingham’s pre-season opener at Dover after playing the second 45 minutes. He came close to scoring twice.
“I just run — that’s my game,” said the summer signing.
“I’ll run through a brick wall for the team and for the players.
“I give 100 per cent every game. That’s what you can guarantee from me throughout the whole of the season.”
The 20-year-old forward was glad to play in front of the Gills fans at Dover and build up his fitness.
“It was brilliant,” he said, after his first appearance in a Gills shirt.
“Obviously, it’s just about getting minutes in all the boys’ legs. We got no injuries. It’s a result as well. We got a win and a clean sheet.
“All the boys were happy. The manager’s happy. So, it’s the best way forward.
“For me, I need match sharpness in and around the box. You can replicate that in training, but it’s in games where it really matters, where there’s so much pressure on you to score.
“It’s just finding my feet again and just getting that little bit of sharpness back.
“Hopefully, as pre-season goes on, those chances start finding the back of the net. But I’ve got 45 minutes in my legs. I don’t have any problems. That’s the main thing.”
The striker joined the Gills from Bristol City, having had some useful experience in the last two seasons with League 2 Newport County and more recently at Scottish side Dundee.
That time in Scotland got him used to being away from his home city of Bristol as he now looks to make a name for himself in the EFL.
“Being in Scotland helped a lot,” he said.
“It was the first time moving away. I’ve done it before, so I know I can do it. I’m just looking forward to the season ahead.
“I think after the first two weeks (of pre-season) you don’t know what to do with yourself. That’s what I find myself doing anyway.
“You have a week on holiday and then you just want to get back to it straight away. There’s no better feeling than coming back out on the grass in front of all the fans.
“The players have been brilliant to me. I think I’ve settled in really well. The manager’s been brilliant to me.
“I can’t compliment the group of players enough. They’re so welcoming and it’s weird, it’s like I’ve always been here.”
Gillingham play League 1 Reading at Priestfield this Saturday.
He said: “It’ll also be nice to have my first run out at Priestfield because I’ve never played there before.
“When I (on loan) at Newport, I was injured when we played there. It’ll be nice to see what the atmosphere’s like and meet all the fans.”
