Joe Gbode has had a breathrough season playing under three managers and is hoping Gillingham end their rollercoaster home League Two campaign this weekend with a win against old rivals Swindon Town at Priestfield. 

Speaking to the media at the briefing this week, Gbode after scoring the winner against promotion chasing AFC Wimbledon on Monday, told us, “We played well on Monday and hopefully we can put in the same effort and quality on Saturday against Swindon!” 

“I’ve been working om my finishing with the Gaffer, and I think that because of Dacky’s (Bradley Dack) touch, I had the chance on Monday that thankfully I took.”

“It was a good moment as a Gillingham boy to score like that in front of the Rainham End – I haven’t scored many this season, but to score one like that was special!”

“The hard work on the training ground paid off… The goal has given me confidence and even in training this week, I have felt my confidence grow. In the last few weeks, I had been struggling a little bit, but scoring has given me the boost I needed!” 

The young striker acknowledged the help his more experienced team-mates have provided. “It’s great having someone like Dacky behind you – he’s so intelligent that he does things that others don’t; he does things that sometimes you can’t read what he’s going to do, he’s very fun to play with and great to watch as well.” 

“I have learned a lot this season and have surprised myself at how far I’ve come in so many different aspects. People forget that I am new to professional football – I am learning every day about being consistent, my diet, my application to the game and getting to understand a lot of the off the pitch stuff and the impact on it.”

“I hope I have figured it out a little bit now, but I am still getting used to it. How you spend your time away from football does matter a lot and how you perform on it.”

“I’m looking to get faster on the pitch – faster and fitter. It’s tough playing through the middle as playing as a central striker, especially with the new Gaffer – he wants me to play a certain way which is different to what I am used to as my strength and power is different; I’m trying to divert some of it to possibly being a target man! It really is a different role for me, and I am still learning.” 

“I don’t put pressure in myself to score as I just see it as playing football – I know that football is a business, but if you put yourself under pressure to score, it will just play on your mind.”

“I’ve worked hard this season, but in the “off-season” coming up now hopefully I can do a lot more than I did last summer, so that I can get more goals and assists next year!” 

“One of the best I can learn from is Oli (Hawkins). He is probably the best that I have ever seen at just pinning players and controlling the ball, especially with a lot of pressure on him – he is so good at it, and he is someone who I take tips from and learn from, and in a lot of other things too.”

“He’s great off the pitch and is an “older” figure to me – he helps me out a lot as well as some of the younger players in the dressing room!” 

“I really do wish that the season isn’t coming to an end as we are playing well as a team, and I think I’m doing well too!”

“Not only that, but the changing room is enjoyable too – everyone gets along. I’ve never been in a changing room like it – if you were to put any two individuals somewhere sitting down having a nice conversation maybe over a coffee… there’s lovely chemistry in there right now and I don’t want the season to end,” Gbode said, but added smiling, “though it will be good to get a nice holiday!” 

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.