League Two leaders Walsall visit MEMS Priestfield this weekend despite missing a number of their squad due to international call ups, not that Gillingham boss John Coleman will be taking the opposition lightly… 

“They have had a remarkable season,” Coleman admitted to KSN at this week’s briefing at Priestfield.

“They have got themselves a healthy lead that has been narrowed down of late, but they are still top of the League, they still are in pole position which every other manager would trade places with.”

“It’s going to be a tough game – they obviously have players missing through international duty, but they still have a good squad.”

“I watched them last Thursday against Bromley and they were disappointed not to get all three points (the game finished 2-2). They know all about us anyway as we played them not so long ago, and I think we just have to play to the best of our abilities and keep up the standards that we have set ourselves as regards to upping work rate, passion, and we really, really have to increase our quality on the ball!” 

“We have to start winning games consistently to enhance the feel-good factor, and that’s easier said than done.”

“We are doing the first step right which is giving everything we’ve got, leaving no stone unturned and working really hard. Now we have to take the next step which is quality and quantity of chances taken.” 

“We have got comfortable in the way that we are playing with a settled side, but we need to not be as predictable as we have been!” 

“We had to get the first thing in place and that was the players running themselves into the ground – we had to get that, and I think to earn the respect of the fans we had to do that.”

“That’s not me gaining the respect of the fans, that’s the players and building that relationship that was clearly fractured. Now we need to go the extra mile and start getting them on the edge of their seats and making chances and taking chances.” 

“I don’t know if playing Walsall so recently will help. It’s the same for them as well as they will know what to expect from us, so it really is going to be a fascinating game and I hope that the fans play a big part in it and get the result that we all want.”

“I don’t think it will make any difference that they are missing some players, you go with what you have got! I’ve been in that position many times when you have a lot of injuries or suspensions and having to turn at this stage of the season to players who haven’t played for months. Football is full of surprises and unpredictable things…” 

“It would be wonderful to get three home wins on the spin, we’re still not there yet and need the points to be safe – we want to climb the table and we want to make Priestfield a horrible place to come to and a better place to come to if you want to sign for us!” 

It emerged that the Gills fans song “The Last Waltz” holds a special place in the heart of their manager as Coleman explained, “We’ve all enjoyed the last couple of home Saturday games – it has been fantastic for a few different reasons, but seeing how much the crowd wanted it and how hard the guys dug deep and worked for it.”

“The scenes at the end when they sing “The Last Waltz” I get emotional at that song anyway because my late Grandma who lived with me all my life until she died at the age of 93, she used to love Engelbert Humperdinck, and it always reminds me of her when I hear it!” 

“I think I might get Jimmy to get “Alexa” to play it on a Saturday morning as well – the song is synonymous with Gillingham and it’s nice when a Club has a song and as I said it does get quite emotional for me because of my grandma – I think the fans enjoy singing it when we win which is good!”