A week into the job and finally Stephen Clemence is to be released on League Two as Gillingham Head Coach and takes his side to North Wales for a touch of “tinsel-town” as they travel to face Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground. 

After the FA Cup win at Hereford and defeat to Fulham in the Football League Trophy in midweek, Clemence has already had the chance to see most of his squad in playing action, with the only notable exceptions – injury victims Olli Hawkins, Ashley Nadesan and Robbie McKenzie – all now training on grass rather than in the gym. 

We asked the new Head Coach of his early opinions of his squad, and he told us, “The quality is fine. I do not feel as though we have had a great deal of sessions yet.”

“Everyone we have had has either been for recovery of or in build up to a game. I want to do more with the group to learn more about them – I’ve only been here a week – but what I’ve seen so far there’s nothing wrong with the quality at this Football Club and I’m really pleased with what I see from the players and if we get them going, I think we’ll be OK!” 

“I will definitely learn more about them after a tough trip like we have this weekend.”

“I will learn more about the players every game we play, but it is just as important that they learn about me as well. They will get an understanding of what me and Robbie (Stockdale) are after and with each game we will get better, I am sure.” 

“I have arrived at the Club, and we are in the top half of the table and not far away from the Play Offs and it is a good opportunity for me to come in here and win football matches.”

“I am not going into a group near the bottom of the table – they have some pedigree, and they have some quality, and they can win football matches. That is what we will try to do and if we work together, we can achieve that.” 

Clemence concluded by reflecting on his Priestfield “debut” in Tuesday’s defeat in the Football League Trophy by saying, “it would have been nice to win the game. We made ten changes and had a few younger players out there.”

“I thought that Fulham were technically very, very good which is what we were expecting – it was great to be on the bench and I thank everyone who made me welcome, but I’m looking forward to the Salford game where we’ll have a bigger crowd, but thanks to the twelve hundred who came and thank you for your welcome!”