Gillingham will face a different kind of challenge this weekend as they look to maintain their impressive start to the season.
The Gills came away with a point from a physical battle at Bromley last weekend but face a completely different challenge when they welcome Notts County to Priestfield this Saturday.
A slow start saw Notts take just a point from their opening three games in League 2 but have reversed that form with three wins and a draw in the next four.
“I think they’ll be more of a football team,” said Gills boss Ainsworth after their game with Bromley.
“I think they’ll come with more of a style they’re known for.”
“Every team’s different and we’ve got to respect every team’s strengths and hopefully exploit their weaknesses.
“They’re a good side. They lost David McGoldrick, who was a big player from last year, but they seem to have replaced well with Matthew Dennis up front and Alassana Jatta, who is going to be a good player in this division.
“They’ve got some good technical players on the ball and they’ve got goal threats, without a doubt.
“They have some solid defenders as well, which we’re going to have to be at our best to break down.
“We’ve got to look at them and respect them and know what they bring. There’s a sort of philosophy that runs through the club, and has done for a few years now, which is nice to see, because they recruit players and managers to suit that philosophy.
“We’ve got to be on it. Different styles, different tests. Notts County have actually played Bromley and we’ve been watching that game.”
County are known for their possession-based style – ranked fourth at present in League 2 for average possession with the Gills 18th out of 24 – although even their manager Martin Paterson admitted last week they were playing “winning football” rather than great football.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Gills boss Ainsworth, who hopes to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
“We’re back at home and it feels like a while since we’ve been here, which is crazy, because it’s only been a couple of weeks.
“I think the schools are all back (from the summer break), people are back from their holidays and I’ve been told there’s a very decent crowd coming down as well.
“That’s going to be really nice to hopefully entertain the crowd and show them what the noise is all about at the moment, because the boys definitely deserve credit for the way they’ve been playing and giving everything on the pitch.”
