Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth can’t wait for the real action to begin as he reminds fans not to worry about their pre-season results.
The Gills have two pre-season matches left with a game at National South Ebbsfleet United tonight (Tuesday) followed by a visit to Isthmian Premier Dartford on Saturday.
It’s a chance for Ainsworth to get more valuable minutes into his squad ahead of their all-important league opener at Accrington on Saturday, August 2.
“I’m looking forward to Ebbsfleet and I’m sure there’ll be a big crowd,” he said.
“I’m going to rotate a little bit. We’ve got two games now to make sure that we are ready for Accrington Stanley. I aim to make sure everyone’s ready for that.
“Don’t worry about the results until the league starts. I’m sure we’ll be competitive in that.”
The Gills have come through a tough schedule of games after kicking off their pre-season campaign with a win at Dover. Since then they’ve faced Reading (0-0), Southampton (0-1/1-3) and Luton Town (0-2).
Ainsworth’s men play Ebbsfleet next, a team managed by former Gillingham captain Josh Wright, and one likely to include another ex-Gills skipper in the side, following their surprise summer capture of Max Ehmer.
Fleet boss Wright is assisted by David Kerslake – no.2 at Priestfield during Justin Edinburgh’s spell as manager – while former Gillingham players Jake Hessenthaler, Ben Chapman and Dominic Samuel are also likely to face the Gills.
Following that the Gills take on Ady Pennock’s Dartford, a side who will be looking to challenge for promotion again in the Isthmian Premier Division.
Ainsworth knows the importance of these games but admitted: “I don’t like pre-season. I really don’t.
“You can’t go into depth on a team, really. You don’t start your analysis and look at it. You don’t get a real feel for ‘it means everything’.
“I can’t wait to get stuck into the league, I really can’t, where everything means everything. Every tackle, every header, every run, every cross, every finish, it means everything. That’s what I’m looking forward to.
“Pre-season is all about the numbers, the sports science, the injuries, and making sure we’ve got a real fit squad going into that game and we will be.
“I trust my staff. They’ve been really good with the players.
“I’m desperate to unleash some stuff. We’re working on little things here and there, but until it really matters, it’s tough.
“Two more games to go. And then, thank God, we can get into the season, which I’m looking forward to.”
