Gillingham responded to recent criticism and beat Salford City at MEMS Priestfield last weekend, and as they prepare for the trip to MK Dons this weekend to face the division’s form team, new Dad Max Clark has been talking to KSN. 

Saturday’s 1-0 over Salford was in fact the Gills’ second win in their last four games, but it was the criticism that was levelled at the players after the defeats to Harrogate and Bromley that Clark conceded may have brought the dressing room closer together with almost a siege mentality.

He admitted, “I think so as it’s so hard to deal with as there were a lot of people around you questioning a lot of things!”

“Us as players, I do think it did bring some drive to us, as when you’re being criticised and I know we haven’t had good performances, you have to face it straight on and deal with it, come together and pick up points and I feel like it has driven us on to get the result last week and hopefully we will take that on this week.” 

“Last Saturday wasn’t the greatest watch I am sure, but I do feel that there will be a lot of games coming up now where we will have to tighten up and win “ugly”, and I for one have no problem in doing that.”

“If you win those ugly games, in this League you will see that there are more teams winning that way than there is by out-playing teams.”

“We have had games here at Priestfield, like Chesterfield, where they had good quality possession and good chances, but we were solid and stuck together, going on to win the game.”

“There have been more times this season when we have done that. If we can go back to that, it will undoubtedly breed confidence going into this run of games, because Christmas is a busy period as we all know and that’s why we must stand up to it.”

“I think that the squad is going to be key as well, as we need everyone to step up as one and we need to make sure that Christmas is a good period for us!” 

Clark returned to the starting eleven in last weekend’s home win over Salford after missing the derby defeat at Bromley because of the birth of his second child, and on the other side of the defence, young Harry Webster made his full League debut for the Gills and it was a performance that impressed Clark.

Clark told us, “I thought he was quality and played with no fear. He looked defensively solid, and to make his debut like that, he was a pleasure to watch from the other side.”

“The confidence that he played with and the way in which he played it looked like he’d been there for a number of years in the first team!”

“He is a good lad in training too, he gets his head down and works hard and is willing to learn which is a major thing these days with young lads.”

“He will only get better seeing him around Priestfield and being with the squad, he’s really showing that he has something and to know that he’s come through the Club’s Academy as well really is great to see.”