Manager Steve Evans is looking forward after Gillingham’s 3-0 loss at home to Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon.

The reverse at Priestfield leaves The Gills sitting 16th place in League One, just five points above the relegation zone.

A Matt Crooks brace and one from Michael Smith was enough to send The Millers back north with all three points leaving Evans to reflect on what might have been:

“Rotherham have some quality players so it was always going to be tough.”

“Both teams had ten efforts at goal, we dominated possession and territory advantage for long periods but they took advantage of some serious individual errors.”

“We were also very unfortunate with some big key officials decisions that went against us, but the result bore no reflection to the match.”

“I had a beer with Rotherham Manager Paul Warne afterwards and he agreed that his team should have gone down to ten men in the first half when Brandon Hanlan was hauled down when clean through on goal.”

“The boys are giving us everything and we will be back at work to prepare for Sunderland next Saturday.”

That FA Cup First Round tie against Sunderland in the north east gives Evans’ side the chance to turn their attention away from the league and the Gillingham boss has admitted he will ring the changes for the game:

“There is no doubt in my mind that we will make changes.”

“Sunderland is a huge club and what comes with that is good players but we will prepare as best as we can to make progress in The FA Cup.”

Two players missing once again from the weekend squad were striker Matty Willock and defender Barry Fuller with the Gillingham manager hopeful the pair will be available once again soon:

“Matty Willock is making rapid progress to be fit and he will be like a new top signing.”

“Both players will train this week and we will assess them later in the week, but there is a real possibility.”

“It is now important we focus on one game at a time and our next one is a game that very few outside Gillingham will give us a chance.”

It’s an earlier than usual kick off for Gillingham on Saturday with the game set to get under way at 1pm, with many fans facing an early start to be on Wearside in time.