Gillingham will host Bolton Wanderers on Saturday with the aim of moving one step closer to safety in League One.
New manager Neil Harris has cut the gap to 20th from 10 points to three in his seven games in charge, and his Gills side could narrow that breach further at the weekend.
Ahead of the match, Harris spoke to the press. Here are five of his key quotes.
On the journey so far
“I knew there were some deficiencies within the club. I knew there was a small squad, and the academy was miles away from the first team, and from some friends of mine that are season ticket holders that there was disharmony between the terrace and the pitch. All I have tried to do is improve it.
“We have taken giant steps but have so far to go. I have not been amazed by anything yet but have been pleasantly surprised by some things, such as the quality and professionalism in the group. The attitude of the players is so good and has helped us get the results.
“One of my first aims was to untie the terraces with the pitch. The fans here are very good at supporting the players. They always have done. even when there’s been unrest it’s not been aimed at the players. Now they are seeing a team they are proud of and a club moving in the right direction.
“I’ve been seven years a manager next week. I have learnt a lot in the last four weeks. We will always learn, but I am learning about myself and that is the beauty of football management. You think you know and then something hits you like a steam train, but you just have to adjust, and it is enjoyable.”
When Harris went into Gillingham the club looked dead and buried. They had just lost 7-2 at home to Oxford United and were 10 points away from safety. Now, they are just three, with 11 points earned from Harris’ seven games in charge.
He has achieved so much in a short space of time. By his own admission, there’s a long way to go – but the former Millwall man is on the right tracks.
On injuries
“Ben Reeves and Mustapha Carayol have been on the grass – we escalated their returns because of needs must. We will have to make calls for their involvement on Saturday. We need to consider injuries from all season – we want to win and have a strong squad Saturday, but we have 10 games after too.
“We’re not at the stage to rush people yet. We got to where we are over the last seven games through balance – that is my job as a manager’ balance between starters, bench, and not risking people if we don’t need to.
“Mood has been excellent. Training has been very good. Everybody is getting what they need at the moment.”
It’s no secret that Gillingham have a thin squad at the minute, but the returns of Ben Reeves and Mustapha Carayol are well-timed for the Gills.
They may have to start taking big risks soon in terms of personnel on the injury front, but so far the balance between that and preparing properly has been good.
On Kyle Dempsey
“We didn’t want to lose anyone on deadline day, but Kyle was the first person I saw when I came in and the deal was pretty much done. I basically just said hello and bye; the bags were packed and mentally he was already at Bolton on the back of the Oxford game. I wasn’t involved to be honest.
“I can’t speak for the fans on what reception Kyle will get, that will be down to them. He will get a good reception from his old teammates and staff – he was the captain of the football club.”
Former Gillingham captain Kyle Dempsey signed for Bolton on deadline day in January and Harris seemingly had no impact on that.
The midfielder will come up against his former teammates for the first time since leaving the club on Saturday, and it promises to be a tasty battle in the middle of the park.
On Bolton
“Bolton are a big club at this level. They invested heavily and well in January and have had good results since. The crowd should hopefully improve again, it is a tough challenge we are looking forward to and it is a big game for both teams.
“Ian sets his team up well. They are an attack-minded team, but they need to win games if they want top six. But we will be ready, organised, structured and we will have a plan with and without the ball. The players have executed plans unbelievably well so far.
“Ian was a no-nonsense centre-half, we played each other a number of times. I have a few stud marks down the back of my achilles still, but we would like to focus on what’s on the pitch rather than each other. He’s done a great job at Bolton.
“Seven points from four games here is a healthy return. I didn’t like losing here against Plymouth, I will be honest. We deserve to have more and should’ve beaten Wimbledon, but we have played well here in general and make it difficult for opposing teams.”
Ian Evatt’s side will still have one eye on the top six and are in good form, despite losing 2-0 last time out.
The Wanderers are slightly inconsistent, so it’s hard to predict how Saturday will play out, but both sides will be up for the challenge.
On Vadaine Oliver
“There is some one-to-one work with Vadaine, but it is about how we play with him in the team and if he is not in the team, like the Crewe game. Vadaine is in a good place on the pitch with me here because we try and play to his strengths at the right times. You can’t completely change someone, and you have to utilise them properly.
“We have tried to find a way to utilise V and get people around him and create opportunities for him. It doesn’t matter who signed who at this point – it is about who can perform for me, the skillsets the players have and me developing them. V is aggressive and extremely good in the air, but his link play has been exceptional.
“We set the team up, we show them how we want them to play and there is no stone unturned. Then it is up to the players. It was good for Vadaine and Ben Thompson to get on the scoresheet and I will put players under pressure – our defenders need to score this season to help us too.”
Vadaine Oliver scored 20 goals last season for Gillingham, but this year has had to deal with a number of situations, from a new baby, to injuries, to the team struggling. He has still found the net nine times this campaign however, including last time out against Lincoln City.
It seems Harris has worked closely with the Gills talisman and the number 19 is now getting back to somewhere near his best.