Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth joked he’s ‘in a no-win situation’ with new signing Cameron Antwi.
New recruit Antwi has been an unused sub in the last two games, after a brief appearance off the bench to make his debut against Bromley at the end of last month.
Antwi has had some time away this week, after the birth of his first child, and faces stiff competition to get into the Gills team as Bradley Dack is his main competitor for the no.10 role.
Commenting on the 24 year-old, Gills boss Ainsworth said: “He’s had a disjointed week with the birth of his first child.
“Cam’s a long-term project. It’s great, isn’t it? We lose a game and everyone will go, ‘Well, if Cameron Antwi played, we probably would have won that game’.
“It’s tough for Cam because Bradley’s been so good in the 10 role. I see Cam as that attacking midfield player.
“I think he’s got great legs. He’s got an eye for goal, as we’ve seen. Good energy. You put him in, we get beat and everyone will say I should have played Bradley back or something!
“It’s a no-win situation. Cam has comes here for a reason and that’s to play. I know he’s going to come here to play.
“We’re still working through this plan where next season, I know we’re going to have what I want. ‘My squad, that’s it. We’re going now’.
“I’m still picking up a few little bits from elsewhere. That’s the nature of the game with so many managers [at the club] in such a small space of time.
“Cam’s done really well. Settled in well and there’s plenty to offer from Cameron.”
Antwi’s arrival has meant fellow attacking midfielders Euan Williams and Jonny Williams are further away from the starting eleven
Shad Ogie can’t get a game either as there are a number of players in front of him.
Ainsworth, speaking broadly, accepts that there are going to be players unhappy.
“Thirty doesn’t go into 11,” said the Gills boss.
“I’ve got more people unhappy on a Saturday than I have happy. But it’s [like that at] most football clubs. It’s just how you manage them.
“I think there’s certain ways that people do it and certain ways people fail at it. Hopefully, the boys will say, you know what? I’m fair. I’m honest.
“They might not like me when they don’t play, but they know the reasons why.”
Midfielder Nelson Khumbeni was back on the training pitch today (Thursday) as he gets near to completing his recovery from a shoulder injury. He’s a few weeks away from being selected.
Ainsworth also said this week that defender Conor Masterson is weeks, rather than months, away from a return. He suffered a groin strain.
Left-sided player Lenni Cirino and striker Marcus Wyllie have both also been declared fit ahead of Gillingham’s trip to Crewe.
The Gills have been back at their Beechings Cross training ground this week after wet conditions had previously forced them to train on 3G.
Ainsworth said: “I have to say to our groundsman, ‘Thank you’, because he works his socks off.
“Sometimes you just can’t go up against Mother Nature and try and turn that around. Being back on the grass has been great.”
