Gareth Ainsworth knows Gillingham will be under pressure to deliver in the FA Cup – even if a break from league action offers a welcome change of scenery.
The Gills are expected to beat non-league Barrow when the National League side visit Priestfield on Saturday, but Ainsworth is taking nothing for granted as he looks to steer his team into the second round.
Barrow have hit form after a slow start to the season, and the Gills boss knows the threat of a cup upset is never far away.
“It’s tricky,” admitted the Gills boss. “A non-league side at home is horrible for a manager.
“I’ve been on the end of a giant-killing, where I’ve been the killer, and it’s not nice for those clubs and I’ve also played at Wimbledon in the Championship when Wycombe had their fantastic run in 2001 and they beat us. It’s a horrible feeling.
“The pressure is on us to beat Barrow and believe me, the [National League] and League 2 are not too far apart. Some fantastic teams in there.
“We’ll have our work cut out but I want to get into round two.”
Barrow were relegated from the Football League last season.
Having won just one of their opening eight games this term, Adam Murray’s men have turned things around, with six straight wins before their weekend draw against Eastleigh.
The Gills head into the match relieved to have secured a win at Shrewsbury last Saturday, with the three points coming at a much-needed time for Ainsworth and his side after a 4-1 loss to Grimsby Town on their last appearance at home.
“It was a really great time to get a win,” said the Gills boss after last weekend’s victory. “We’ve got two weeks without a league game and then we go to Colchester when we have to get back on the league horse.
“But I love the FA Cup. I love it. I want to win that game on Saturday. So, I don’t expect any weakening of any side.”
With a Premier League under-21 Cup game earlier this week and a Jersey Mike’s Trophy fixture next Tuesday, Ainsworth has plenty of opportunity to give fringe players and youngsters a runout.
But the FA Cup tie is one where he intends to stick with the same squad he used at Shrewsbury, barring any injuries.
“I want to go strong,” he said. “The team will be made up pretty much of [the 18 from last Saturday]. It won’t be changing to bring in people who haven’t played or youngsters. This is my squad.
“I can’t do much more. Zane Albarus is probably the closest one out of three [short-term injuries] to get back in. Hopefully he’ll come back in. There’s not much that I would change now, and hopefully Nick [Freeman] will be all right.”
Freeman, a regular in the right wing-back role, limped off late on after picking up an injury. He sustained a whack from a defender who was attempting to make a block.
With two wins, two draws and two defeats in October, Ainsworth was left satisfied with his side’s return of eight points from six games.
“It’s not stuff to write home about, but it’s a lot better than it’s been in the last few years,” he said.
The Gills picked up just one point from their four games last October while Ainsworth was recovering from major heart surgery.
The Gills head into a week of cup football in eighth place in League 2, just two points off the promotion places.
“We’ll still be getting criticised – don’t worry about that,” joked Ainsworth.
“That’s football, isn’t it? I’ll just keep going. Like I say, we’ll see where we end up this season. But I believe, with a little bit of luck, this squad can achieve this year.”
