Sam Gale is one Gillingham player who doesn’t want the current football season to come to an end as the young defender has established himself as a first team regular under John Coleman and now under Gareth Ainsworth. 

“It’s a really good feeling,” Gale admitted when we spoke to him this week.

“When you have made your first couple of appearances, it’s almost like a “pinch-me” moment, and then you must get into the groove that this is the norm now. Got to prepare every week as you are going to play every week, and I have for the last couple of months!” 

“I definitely don’t take it for granted, it’s what I have always wanted and it’s what I have worked so hard for – that is something that I am not losing sight over.”

“I am just grateful to pull on the shirt every week and go out onto Priestfield or be away from home, wherever it is a play. There is a big learning curve, even on Tuesday at Chesterfield in the last minute, I think I won the ball back and I was charging forward to get beyond Hutts (Romeao Hutton) – a couple of the boys said to me afterwards it’s the last minute and we were playing a good side, just take the point!”

“There is a lot to learn, there have been a few instances where I have had to learn on my feet – Colchester for one, even though the ball was well out – it’s a learning curve and there is a lot to learn on the pitch and off the pitch how I carry myself as someone who is trying to establish myself now – how I should carry myself now, how I behave on and off the pitch, and I do think that I’ve learned a lot either way!” 

“We’re all really positive in the dressing room especially as we are still unbeaten under the manager and Tuesday felt as though we had won even if we didn’t as it was a good point on the road.”

“We were gutted that we didn’t come away with the win after getting to the eightieth minute leading, but you have to remember that they are a good side Chesterfield – they have been together a number of years with that squad under that manager, and to take a point off them; another team who are pushing for the Play Offs who we have delayed that push a little bit – there is a lot to be positive about.” 

“I always back myself to make up a yard or two should I need to do which is why I like playing a high line as if I do get it wrong, I can recover…it’s definitely a strength of mine.” 

Looking ahead to MK Dons trip to MEMS Priestfield on Saturday, Gale told us, “We’re expecting another tough game, but you just have to look at the game!”

“Look at Chesterfield – Tranmere beat them 4-0 at the weekend, and Tranmere are at the wrong end of the table! You can never assume anything in this League – we beat Bradford after we had been beaten by Newport 3-1 – football doesn’t make sense especially in this League.”

“So, we can’t take anything for granted – they have good players MK Dons; they have a point to prove as they are on a poor run of form. So, it will be another tough game, but I am confident going into it!”