Ainsworth Urges Gillingham to Rally as Games Dwindle

Gillingham’s manager, Gareth Ainsworth, acknowledges the urgent need for his team to improve as the season progresses. With limited games remaining, every match counts in their pursuit of a playoff spot in League 2. Currently, Gillingham is facing a nine-point gap from the playoff positions.

Ainsworth Calls for Team Unity and Performance Improvement

The upcoming match against Chesterfield is critical for Gillingham. After a recent defeat against Crewe, their path to the top seven seems daunting. Ainsworth emphasized the importance of extracting maximum value from their remaining games.

• Current Position: Gillingham sits nine points behind the playoffs.
• Games Remaining: The team has 16 matches left to play.
• Points Needed: Ainsworth points out that they need to average two points per game to secure a playoff position.

Upcoming Matches

The fixtures ahead include:

• Chesterfield (Away)
• Oldham (Home)

Ainsworth stated, “We’ve got to make these games count because we’re running out of games.” He expressed his desire for the season to last until the end of May, signifying his determination to fight for a playoff chance.

Defensive Challenges and Tactical Adjustments

The manager reflected on the team’s recent struggles, particularly their defense during set-pieces. He recognized the need for improvement to avoid further losses.

Ainsworth commented, “We’ve got to start being better at defending set-pieces.” He highlighted how their performance at Crewe did not match their potential, indicating that maintaining clean sheets will be essential moving forward.

Looking Ahead

As Gillingham prepares for Chesterfield, Ainsworth faces a selection dilemma. Some senior players performed well but may need resting to manage their energy levels. He affirmed the capability of his squad, saying, “I think that the squad we have is capable of winning.”

The upcoming encounter against Chesterfield represents a crucial opportunity for Gillingham to gain momentum and rally confidence in their quest for promotion.