Manager Gareth Ainsworth has a tried-and-tested method for getting the best out of young players, which he hopes will work for Sam Gale.
Gale came off the bench for Gillingham on Saturday, after the manager opted to leave him out of the starting eleven for the first time in the league since the opening weeks of the season.
The young defender’s role in the team has changed in recent weeks, with Gills boss Ainsworth moving him from central defence to right-back, but at the weekend, he was replaced in the XI by Remeao Hutton.
In the middle, Ainsworth picked young loan signing Travis Akomeah to partner recent addition Omar Beckles, who looks set to be the anchor for his defence going forward.
“Everyone loves Sam Gale because he’s a local lad and he’s come through the academy,” said the Gills boss.
“But he’s still so young, he’s still learning, and it’s really important that we don’t overload him and kill him.
“Sam, I thought, was just in the little washing machine, I call it, just a little bit in the last few games.
“It’s important for us as a coaching staff to spot that and then bring someone out and then put them back in. We think we’re getting them back like that.
“We’ve done it with all our young players over the years. I think that Sam’s got a heck of a future and played a big part in that second-half performance [on Saturday].”
Gale came on for the Gills as Ainsworth switched to a back five, with the young defender helping to keep Tranmere Rovers at bay as the visitors looked for a late equaliser.
Last month, 20-year-old centre-back Akomeah agreed on a new loan deal from Watford for the remainder of the season, having only appeared on a handful of occasions during the first half of the campaign.
He’s looked assured at the back having started the last two games.
Ainsworth said: “He came back from Watford to play and we had the chat and I said, ‘Look, I will give you games, but you’ve got to keep your shirt once you get that game’. He’s certainly done that.
“Having someone like Omar Beckles to learn off is fantastic.”
Ainsworth brought Andy Smith back into the squad on Saturday, having left him out at Notts County after the heavy home loss against Bromley. The Gills also have Shad Ogie on the books but he’s currently further down the pecking order for the central defensive role.
Ainsworth added: “Andy Smith is a great centre-half. Sam Gale is a great centre-half. I left Aaron Rowe out of the squad. What a great player.
“We have a good squad at the moment. We have people fighting to try and get in this squad and that’s the way I want it. I want difficult decisions.
“Travis has come in and defended really well. He’s young, he’s still learning the game, but he’s got a bright future.”
