Gillingham’s manager admitted his side is still short of on-pitch leaders and is eyeing the transfer window after Saturday’s frustrating draw.
The Gills let a 2-0 first-half advantage slip as Barrow struck twice after the break, leaving Gareth Ainsworth pointing to a lack of characters who can take control of games during difficult moments.
“I think we lack that in this squad,” Ainsworth said, following the 2-2 draw.
“We’ve got older players, but there’s a difference between just having older players and characters.
“I think we probably lack one or two characters in the team that I think will get hold of the game by the neck.
“You need those players on the pitch. You have to have those players on the pitch. I’ve obviously got one or two in the summer and probably need one or two more now.
“That’s what we’ll be looking for and make sure that the club’s getting stronger and stronger.”
Ainsworth has brought in experienced heads such as Sam Vokes and Garath McCleary, but both have been limited to the time they’ve had on the pitch.
He said: “When I came in, it was a big plan. It was a long-term plan to make this club better.
“It’s been through the mill, but I know football fans want everything yesterday and I understand the frustrations at the end of the game (on Saturday) from the fans.”
The Gills were booed off after the weekend draw. It’s three months since they last won at home and they head into the festive period sitting 10th in the table.
Thirty points from 20 games is the same position the Gills found themselves in last season, and Ainsworth’s determined to make sure this campaign doesn’t peter out like in previous years.
January is a chance to get things back on track.
He said: “We’re a lot better than we were, but there are still changes to be made here, and I’ll make sure I keep making them to make us better.
“We changed formation (on Saturday) after their second goal to go at them more. I just think that we got a bit nervous, a little bit worried, and once we gave Barrow one or two chances, we started dropping deeper and deeper and I think that’s where characters come into it.
“I think that leaders and characters need to be on the pitch to say, ‘let’s get up the pitch’, ‘let’s do what we did first-half’, ‘let’s slow this game down’ or ‘let’s change this game somehow’ and I think that’s what we miss a little bit.
“You need them in the game. Without getting too many experienced old legs who are going to get injured, you’ve got to try and get the balance and get the characters and the leaders in but it’s very tough.”
The Gills have been chasing leaders for several seasons – something former boss Neil Harris spoke about just before he was fired.
It’s still an issue and Ainsworth’s determined to get the right characters in.
He said: “You’re talking about your Roy Keane types, and things like that, and they’re few and far between, or very expensive, and they’re tough to get but we’ll work hard on it.
“I’m doing plenty. I’m trying to shout plenty of instructions and motivation from the touchline, but (it’s) being out on the pitch.
“We’ve got Bradley (Dack), who plays at a higher level, sees the game really well, but he can’t do it on his own at times and Armani as well gets it going.”
The Gills went from coasting at 2-0 against Barrow to hanging on at the end after conceding twice in the second half.
“It was tough,” admitted the Gills boss.
“I thought we were a little bit nervy and it looked like we were waiting to concede, and I don’t like that.
“I’d rather go at them, go gung-ho and concede on the counter-attack, rather than sitting back and conceding in your own box, when there are eight of us in our own box and he slips (the ball) in. I’d rather the other way.
“I’d rather us be caught out because we’re going so attacking and that’s me as a manager but I think personnel on the pitch dictates that as well.”
