Striker Josh Andrews ‘put his name on the map’ for Gillingham in their pre-season match at Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday night.
Andrews, 23, turned in what Ainsworth called his best performance yet during the 2-1 friendly defeat at Ebbsfleet – a game where Gillingham created a string of chances but couldn’t find the finishing touch to match their approach play.
“Josh Andrews had his best game for me, without a shadow of a doubt,” said the Gills boss.
“I want to use his size, and I want to make sure that he realises what he’s best at. I think that’s probably the best game he’s had for a long time.
“He came off really buzzing. He knew he impacted the game. Plenty of touches. He had a couple of great opportunities as well.
“A fit and really firing Josh Andrews will be a hell of an asset in League 2.
“I think he’s really put his name on the map with a really good performance but the balls into him were great. The runs off him were great.
“The energy in the boys was really good.”
The Gills still couldn’t convert positive energy into goals.
Joe Gbode scored late on but the amount of chances created against Ebbsfleet deserved more.
Ainsworth is sure they will come good.
“It’s finishing touches – that’s all it is,” he insists.
“I’ve been told that’s been the story for a few years. I’ll be the one who breaks it, don’t worry.
“(Assistant manager) Richard Dobson is a fantastic finishing coach. Let’s get stuck into
that.
“I’ve seen the frustrations of the Gillingham fans have been for a few years. We’re going to work on hitting the target.
“I don’t believe there’s a thing called confidence, I believe that if you practice enough, confidence goes out the window. You’re just solid at what you do. That’s what confidence is, making sure you practice correctly and we’ll be doing that.
“Dobbo’s a master of the finishing drills and we will get better.”
The Gills boss isn’t the first manager to try and change the club’s lousy goal scoring record, one which has plagued them for the last four seasons.
Ainsworth said: “I think when we missed the second open goal (at Ebbsfleet) one of the fans shouted: ‘Welcome to Gillingham, Gareth!’”
“I know all about Gillingham. I have a brilliant set of lads. I really do. I’ve got great owners and staff around them and a great youth team coming up.
“This club is set up for success. I’m lucky because I think I’m going to be the one who’s in charge when this finally cracks.
“It’s a big club. It’s just been sleeping for so long. I intend to wake it up with a bang. Hopefully we can start the season well.
“We need to hit the target. We need to put the ball in the goal, but I firmly believe in the boys.
“I’ve got every one of their backs and that will stay the same until I leave or they leave, but they’re with me. I’m in this for the long term.
“I like the journey that (owners) Brad and Shannon (Galinson) have plotted out for me and the opportunity they’ve given me.
“It’s about putting that finishing touch into the players now and we’ll be working hard on that.
“The budget’s healthy, the club’s in a good place – it’s just ready for take-off.”
