Head Coach looks ahead to Gillingham trip
Head Coach Paul Groves says Reds will travel to Gillingham on Saturday with a strong belief that they can build on the midweek win over Walsall.
Conor Henderson’s goal saw off the Saddlers on Tuesday and, just as importantly for the management team, Reds were back at their parsimonious best as they kept their ninth clean sheet in 18 fixtures this season.
Paul said: “We got back to how we had been in terms of our defensive shape and solidity and that was the basis of the win on Tuesday.
“We changed our shape slightly to try and get that solidity back and in the first half you could see what the players were trying to adjust.
“But I thought the longer the game wore on the stronger we became. The understanding returned and a moment of quality from Conor settled what was a very tight game.”
Three previous visits to the Priestfield Stadium have seen Reds win once and lose the other two. Our last trip there in March saw Crawley dominate and create lots of chances before losing 1-0.
Paul added: “That’s happened in a lot of games for us when we have been on top and not won. Walsall might feel that was the case for them on Tuesday but I don’t remember them having too many clear-cut chances if I’m honest. Defensively I thought we dealt with them pretty well.
“Walsall are the sort of side who will boss possession and pass, pass, pass. They do that against most teams in this division but as the game wore on we coped with their threat pretty well.
“We now need to take it into Saturday. The dressing room was buzzing again after Tuesday because we all know what an important win it was for us after two disappointing results. We have to build on it though and it will be another hard game on Saturday.”
John Gregory will have Keith Keane available after suspension.
