Gillingham welcome rivals Swindon Town to Priestfield on Saturday for their final home game of the season with manager Gareth Ainsworth now aware quite what the fixture means to the fans.

“I wasn’t aware of the rivalry between the two clubs,” boss Gareth Ainsworth admitted at this week’s briefing.

“I have been told that it goes back quite some time I am told, but I am fully aware of things now – I don’t think that I have had a game here yet that doesn’t mean something – it’s crazy!”

“Monday was a big game and a win against AFC Wimbledon – Port Vale next week will be another big game and then people tell me about Swindon right in the middle of it!”

“I know it’s a rivalry that goes back a long time and somewhere down the way involves a Play Off game, I know that they will turn up in their droves for the game as I’m sure our supporters will as it is our last home game of the season.”

“Hopefully the sun will be shining again – a full house would be nice – and let’s see what we can do!” 

“Ian Holloway has been a really big part of my career,” the Gills boss said when asked about his relationship with the Swindon boss.

“Both playing and managing, I have taken a lot from Ian into my career. He almost resurrected my career when I was at Wimbledon. Injuries didn’t go well and on loan at Cardiff and then ironically after a Play Off Final against QPR, he said that he wanted to sign me and that was start of my seven/eight years at the Club which is where I am perhaps recognised for playing for more than any other Club.”

“He was brilliant and motivating at letting the dressing room energy flow and one of his biggest strengths was seeing something that was working and not needing to get involved in things that were and just building it more. He was brilliant like that; really, really good, socially aware.” 

“I’m not surprised that he went on to manage in the Premier League and did really well because of the character he is – he’s had a phenomenal career and I think has topped a thousand games as a manager which is well deserved… It will be great to see Olly.” 

“Swindon will play with Ian’s energy and tenacity that he has. We’ve been studying them and where we can break them down, but I do expect a really tough game.”

“So far I am really pleased with where we are, but we are only one game away from a defeat and we don’t want it to happen this week, we don’t want it to creep in or catch you unawares, so we will be super prepared and the boys have showed me some good stuff in training this week before we are ready to rock and roll on Saturday.”

“We’re ready for the challenge this week which will be a tough one on Saturday!” 

With regards to his squad news, Ainsworth reported no new knocks from Monday’s win over AFC Wimbledon. Both Andy Smith and Armani Little are likely to be in contention, whilst the manager re-iterated his hope to be able to look at players who haven’t yet featured under him before the end of the season. “I have to have a look at those players at some point,” Ainsworth explained. 

One player not to feature under the new boss is Club captain Max Ehmer and the manager said, “He will be here at the weekend. He hasn’t played a part under me yet! I have great respect for him – he was a young player at QPR when I was there, and whenever you came here to play, he’s been an absolute stalwart – it’s great what he has done for Gillingham, but hasn’t featured for me yet as I’ve been pleased with the back and the defenders that we have had in!” 

Ainsworth was then asked how “difficult” it had been to leave young keeper Taite Holtam out of the side against Wimbledon after the young keeper played so well against Cheltenham and MK Dons.

“When you have a number one like Glenn (Morris) it wasn’t too difficult as I know what Glenn gives us,” the manager said, “but Taite has definitely shown me, and a lot of other people that he is a very competent number two.”

“He made some cracking saves at Cheltenham when he needed to, the boys stepped up and protected him definitely in his first game against MK; his kicking is good, he had a few bits to learn without a doubt, but I think that inadvertently, it was a “nice” moment to be able to put the number two in for a couple of games, even though it wasn’t planned, but I think he has grown in stature in the dressing room after what he has done on the pitch!”  

The Gills boss ended the briefing by saying, “To the outside world there’s not much on this game on Saturday, but to everyone inside Priestfield, there is plenty on it with both of us going for the win – I know Ian and he knows me – we will both be going for it and we will enjoy a drink afterwards as there is a lot of respect there, but hopefully the points will stay right here!” 

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.