Gillingham manager John Coleman is hoping to make Priestfield an uncomfortable place for Notts County to visit this Saturday.
Coleman’s managed to add some new faces to the squad in recent weeks, and he’s seen signs of progress in their play, but badly needs a win.
County start the weekend sitting third in the League 2 table, with wins from each of their last three away games, scoring 10 goals in the process. It’s the kind of form the Gills need to get their own season going.
Coleman said: “I went to watch Notts County over the Christmas period play at Salford (where they lost 3-0). Their results and the performances have improved since then.
“Whoever you play at home, we’ve got to make it more difficult for them than what they do to us and whilst you do your homework on them and you’re mindful of their threats, you really have to focus on your own performances.
“We’ll be looking to try and get our act together and try and score our first goal of our own volition this year.
“I want it to be uncomfortable for Notts County when they come here on Saturday.
“I want our fans to be part of the process so they feel as though they’ve contributed to the win. They can do that by getting right behind the team, by being very, very vocal.
“I know you’re not going to get everybody so positive, but try and get as many people as you can.
“The first 20-25 minutes against Doncaster (last time at home) were excellent. The crowd really got behind us.
“I can fully understand we conceded a stupid goal and it deflated the fans.
“I just plead with them to bear with us a little bit longer and be that 12th man. It can make a big difference.”
League 2 table
The Gills were unable to make the early pressure count against Doncaster and a goal for the visitors on 33 minutes ended up being the only one as they left with all three points.
Disappointment at Tranmere was followed by a more positive display at Grimsby on Tuesday, leading 1-0 in the first half but unable again to make pressure count during a dominant second half. A late equaliser meant it finished 1-1.
The Gills have only scored twice since the turn of the year, in the four games played, and both have been own goals. Needless to say there’s been no official ‘goal-of-the-month’ poll.
Gillingham beat Notts County 1-0 at Meadow Lane on September 21, thanks to a goal from Elliott Nevitt. It’s the last time a striker’s managed to net a goal for the club.
“Everyone’s got to try and contribute to scoring goals,” said the Gills boss.
“We should attack as a team and defend as a team. I’d like us to attack more as a team and maybe be more of a threat.
“You could see in them first 20-25 minutes against Doncaster how much they were struggling to keep up with the game. We had a stranglehold of them.
“Lots of other people who I know in the game have spoken to me about that game and said how much they were impressed with us in the first half, or the first 25 minutes, before we conceded.
“If other people are telling you that, I think it probably is true.
“We’ve just got to build that up to maybe a bit longer momentum shifts in games so that we can pin teams in and hopefully score in those situations.
“We had such a big period against Grimsby but we didn’t finish the game off like we should have done.
“I’m desperate for a win. I know as a player and a manager, it’s nice to do the double over a team, and it will be in the back of their mind that they’ve lost to us as well, so bring it on.”
