Gills boss Justin Edinburgh has been speaking ahead of the first SKYBet League One game of the season at Priestfield this weekend as Bury are the visitors.

When asked about the first week of the season, the Gills boss admitted, “The big thing for me before we went into the season was the mental state of the players.”

“I wasn’t aware of how much a hangover we were having at the end of last season – not only to have missed out on the automatic, but to have missed out on the Play Offs as well affected the players more that I expected.”

“But a week’s a long time in football and the two results that we’ve had, have lifted the group – I think the signing of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was a big one. Coming in the building last Friday, he certainly lifted the players and got us on the front foot again!”

“To have back to back away games and come away with victories is a huge boost, but this Saturday at home is where we want to make sure that we turn Priestfield into a fortress again and get our home form intact and up and running as everyone wants to win their first home game.”

“We’ve not had any pre-season games at home, but everyone is looking forward to playing at Priestfield again. Fans pay decent money to watch their team, wear the shirt and they want it worn with pride and I think that we give that here, and I hope the supporters agree with that.”

Looking ahead, Edinburgh had this to say about the coming months. “The League this year is more competitive and I don’t think that there’s a run-away team like Wigan in it,” he said.

“I think everyone is very cautious and wary of everyone in the Division as they were last season. I don’t think anything’s changed – some will be thinking that they’ve improved their squads.”

“Some new managers; some new teams have come in – we’ll approach every game the same and give every side the respect that they deserve. If we can get good momentum in the first ten or twelve games, I think it could well serve us in good stead for the remainder of the season.”

“At home we know that the crowd will be behind us from the start to the finish, and that will be the mindset.”

The Gills boss was then asked about his injured players. “We’ve some good news that Bradley Dack’s scan results have come back and there’s no long term injury – there’s no ligament damage and the knee was in good shape with just a bit of bruising there. We’re hopeful he may be back in a week or two.”

He then turned his attention to Aaron Morris. “He’s seen his consultant and will have surgery next week – he’ll be out for the season but he will be back which is great news for him personally and for us – he will make a full recovery which is good for us. It’s a bit of a freak that he’s suffered the same injury in the same knee – he’s had some real bad luck, but you have to turn that bad luck into good luck and make yourself stronger and more resilient, ready for when he comes back.”

“It will be vitally important to keep all the injured players involved while they’re recovering. I have a great belief that it speeds the process up – they’re in a down environment, where things aren’t good, it could slow the process, but as this group pick themselves up quickly through disappointments and they will all be supportive of all the boys to get them back quicker.”

Looking forward to Priestfield’s big kick off, the Gills boss was in almost buoyant mood. “We couldn’t have scripted the start better – coming from behind twice; two victories and it’s given the whole place a massive, massive boost.  It’s a new start – we’re unbeaten at home going into the weekend. We need to start on the front foot; we need the crowd to be vocal which they will be and fully behind us every step of the way.”