Pennock wants positive response

There’s no time for sulking, says Gillingham head coach Ady Pennock.

His team were well beaten in midweek, losing 3-1 at Swindon despite taking a first-half lead through Cody McDonald.

It means the Gills dropped dangerously close to the League 1 relegation zone, sitting just three points clear. Gillingham’s next destination is a trip to in-form Bury tomorrow (Saturday).

Pennock said: “They have to stop feeling sorry for themselves and look forward to Saturday because it is another big game for us.

“We are disappointed but we have to lick our wounds and move on because this is another big game against another team around us. All the teams won around us (on Tuesday) and we lost, making it even bigger. These are massive games.”

Bury were in big trouble themselves recently but have climbed above the Gills. They have a new manager in Lee Clark – the former Newcastle midfielder – and have won their last three games in a five-match unbeaten spell.

Pennock hopes his side can also pull clear. He said: “It is so important we stick together. The next 11 games are all cup finals.

“The boys are hurting and so let’s look forward to Saturday now. We have to turn up like we did last Saturday, put a good shift in and get three points.

“Everyone can beat each other in this league and that is why we have got to roll our sleeves up and put a performance in. It is so important to get those three points.

“What we mustn’t do is lose because they are a team around us. We need to be positive, everyone has to be.”

Gills have won just one of their last 13 games, amassing 10 points in the process. It’s form that could see them slip into the relegation zone but Pennock knows they still have time to put it right.

He said: “We have a few games to go and the ball is still in our court. We only have to worry about ourselves.

“If we win (our games) we will be all right. We have to worry about us and not keep looking (at the table and results), although it is human nature to look.

“We have looked on Tuesday and thought ‘oh, crumbs’ the others have won and we have lost. These games are getting bigger and bigger.”

Josh Wright scored twice in four minutes just before half-time last Saturday as Gills won 2-1 against Southend at Priestfield.