Lions clash will be a cracker!
Gillingham
Gills head coach Ady Pennock is looking forward to a ‘cracker’ this Saturday.
Priestfield is expected to be packed as the Gills take on Millwall, with both sides battling at different ends of League 1.
Gillingham need a win to help fend off the threat of relegation while Millwall – who will be backed by up to 2,500 travelling fans – want the points as they push for a play-off place.
Pennock said: “We have three home games left out of our last five and this one is a cracker.
“We have done well against the so-called better sides and this is a good one for us. It is a big game for them but it’s an even bigger game for us.”
Pennock isn’t expecting to be doing much of a team-talk. He said: “They are professional footballers and if you are not up for this game, against Millwall, with near-enough a fullhouse here, and also in the situation we are in, then there is no point in being a footballer.
“These are the occasions you train and live for. It’s a huge game for us.
“I haven’t got to say anything to the boys, they know the situation.”
Gillingham have lost their last four games and are desperately in need of a boost. Pennock believes this game comes at the right time.
He said: “It is an ideal game for us. Millwall are going for the play-offs and we are fighting for our lives.
“The atmosphere will be fantastic and we have shown in other games, against Scunthorpe and Southend and Wimbledon, when there have been decent crowds we have been up for it, we have put in good performances and got good results.
“The players will get a great buzz from the fans because we are all in this together.”
Pennock and his men have taken plenty of flak in recent weeks, as the club have dropped closer to the drop zone but he insists they are working overtime to rectify their problems.
He said: “We cover everything and we aren’t doing it just for 10 minutes, we are doing it two or three hours (a session), covering every base.
“The players have to get us out of this trouble. We are there for them and will be giving them every help we can. We are on their side and will be backing them right to the end.”
Dack has been hit in the pocket following his costly outburst on Saturday.
The Gills midfielder was red carded at MK Dons after dissent to the referee led to his second caution of the game.
Dack was incensed by the decision to award a free-kick against him and from that, MK Dons scored the winner in a 3-2 win.
It was his second red card of the season and he has been fined two weeks’ wages – the maximum a club can fine a player.
Pennock said: “It’s happened and we have to move on. It will give someone else the opportunity to come in and do well, they have to.”