Steve Evans has been looking forward to righting last weekend’s wrongs and at the same time possibly a touch of “hero-worship” on the opposition bench – maybe!

With Gillingham’s “local” rivalry with Southend United about to be renewed at Priestfield this weekend, the boss has admitted to getting it wrong in the first half at least at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium last weekend.

Whilst potentially welcoming one of his own footballing heroes to the opposition bench should as has been predicted in many circles, former Celtic legend Henrik Larsson be appointed as the Shrimpers new boss.

All maybe’s, but Evans admitted that Saturday’s first half at least had been a horror show.  He admitted, “The damage had been done in the first half with a performance that wasn’t good enough.  We’ve intensified training this week making sure that we do the basics properly unlike we did at Oxford. 

“We really didn’t do them at the weekend and football is working as hard as you can, trying to work as smart as you can; to work with our team shape and discipline within the team and the organisation – and we didn’t have that in the first half which is something we did for the second half.” 

Evans then admitted that he got his tactics wrong in the first half at the Kassam, and when asked about, the Gills boss said, “I don’t get it wrong very often and the fans know that of course in terms of shapes and systems. 

“Sometimes in terms of substitutions of course and various bits in the game – we’ll try our best not to get too many wrong – we haven’t got too many wrong over the years – one thing you have to do is that you cant blame the players when you’ve had a part in it; you have to be honest and as I said on Sunday to our supporters that I take full responsibility and I’m not going to hide behind the players – that’s either immature, naïve or manager who normally gets the sack! 

“We know we need to win some games if we want to be in that middle group heading towards the Festive period and we’ve an opportunity to win a game on Saturday – every time we pull on the shirt we’ve got a chance to win – we need to win a few now.”

Evans then focused on Southend.  “They’ve still got a good manager in charge in Gary Waddock – a man I’ve known for many years who’s been in the Championship with Queens Park Rangers of course and really does know what he’s doing.” he said. 

“In the game where he took over away to MK Dons and got a fantastic one nil win which doesn’t look as good as they didn’t follow it up against Accrington at home.”

“But I remarked to my staff that a game that Gary wouldn’t have wanted in all of League One is Accrington as they’re capable of beating the best in any division when they turn up and want to play – John (Coleman) and the boys have done a terrific job up there! 

“We’ll focus on ourselves – it’ll be a challenge – they’ve got good players.  Certainly, since Gary has come in, he’s upped the standards considerably for me.” 

“In truth I can’t see anything happening before the weekend.  Indeed, the only thing that might change is that I’m going to be asking the opposition manager for an autograph!  So, I might be asking Henrik for a selfie whilst I certainly won’t be asking Gary Waddock for one as much as I love him! 

“For all that joking, we’ll do all our training and our planning for Southend United as a football club and not just for a manager as the real battle for the real points come on the pitch of course!” 

“I think you’re not a big-name manager until you earn your stripes as a manager.  Henrik – I’ve been in his company though never met the guy so I can’t say I know anything about him other than I’ve sung his name hundreds of time when I’ve been watching Celtic.  That said, Ron Martin is a very experienced Chairman and given how late in the week it is, I’ll be surprised if we are facing Henrik on Saturday. 

“Most Chairman wouldn’t go to the end of their own garden if it wasn’t right for his football club, but the fact he’s flying to Sweden suggests that it might be happening, but if Gary Waddock is still in charge on Saturday then Southend will have a good man in charge.” 

“I’ve always loved games against Southend – they’ve always been competitive; I’ve won some, I’ve lost some – its extra special when there’s a rivalry with the supporters.

“From where I live, I can probably get a jet-ski to Southend quicker than I can get to the Dartford bridge in my car, so it adds a bit extra to it.  We’re looking forward to it – the Southend supporters will turn up wanting another day like they got at MK Dons where they were terrific. 

“I watched a full run of that game this week and they should have won more than one-nil!”

Finally to the weekends team news, “We’re in good shape – young keeper Joe Walsh trained Wednesday for the first time in a week after intensive treatment and he tells me he’s OK and will hopefully come through the rest of the week in one piece and other than Matty Willock, we’ll have a full squad to choose from – a full squad that is of 20 players.” 

“Matty is a top class young player and he’s very gifted – it’s just that his first game back he went knee to knee and there’s a lot of internal bruising and bone bruising, so we’re still a couple of weeks away from having him back; he’s getting nearer by the day!”