Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has challenged his players to match his own intensity on the pitch.
The Gills begin their Easter weekend with a game at play-off-chasing Walsall today (Friday) before heading back to Priestfield to face Accrington Stanley on Monday.
Ainsworth’s League Two side have lost their last five games and the manager’s focus is getting players out on the pitch that are fully committed to turning things around.
He said: “I want to see people who are going to dig deep, people who are going to raise their standards and find a way, because there’s no giving up in me, ever.
“I wish I could be out there with them because I know I’d scrap and give every last bit of blood, sweat and tears to get the result. I need players like that.
“I want people to get to my standard. I need to drag them to my standard of defending, attacking and playing. I’ll do all I can to make that happen.
“It hasn’t been good enough and I totally understand how the reaction of fans sometimes can be. It’s a tough one to take.
“You’ve got to improve your everything. That’s what I’m here to do. Whether that’s in the building, or whether it has to be brought in from outside the building, I’ll do it.
“When everyone is fit and I can pick my first 11, we’re more than good enough. But when we rely on squad depth, a few players need to look at themselves. I also need to see who’s ready to fight and scrap.
“I know where my standards are. I am totally fine with fronting anything up and anyone who wants to say anything to me, I give my absolute all, give my best.
“I need the players to get to their best – probably better than they’ve ever been in their careers because the level of this division is quite high. The teams we’re coming up against, they’re going for it. They’re going for the play-offs. They’re going for promotions.”
In a message to his players, he added: “Let’s get out there, boys. Let’s lift our game. Let’s lift your standards.
“Let’s get right up there, train right, play right, prepare right. Anyone can beat anyone on the day and no matter what team I put out, I believe they can win.”
Ainsworth has also asked the fans to get fully behind his team – as they need it.
He said: “It’s tough. Let’s find a way. Let’s find a way to beat this toughness. Let’s find a way to win.
“I need the support. I need you fans. Get behind us. Whichever way that is.
“I know you turn up in droves, which is great, but I properly need you at the moment.
“I know you’re there, the players know you’re there. We’ve got two big games coming up now, and I want to go into them believing we can win both.
“I’ll scrap and fight until the last breath is in me. People know that about me. I hope my players have matched that.
“I’ll scrap and fight until the bitter end for this football club. I want my players to do the same.”
