On day 100 of Gillingham boss Neil Harris’ reign at Priestfield almost unimaginably he’s 90 minutes away from achieving “The Great Escape” that on his first day in the job seemed almost impossible.
“Only” standing in Harris’ way under the gaze of the Sky Sports cameras – and potentially Gillingham legendary status – is a Rotherham United side which not that much to play for – the League One title and promotion back to the Championship that’s all!
At his final midweek briefing of the season, with all the scenarios that surround the Gills fixture, Fleetwood’s trip to Bolton and Morecambe v Sunderland, Harris told KSN that he doesn’t know what positive return could save his side.
“We don’t know what will be enough do we?” the Gills boss admitted. “It’s possible and it’s a question that Stephen Crainey is probably getting asked at Fleetwood too – indeed does he need a point?”
“Ultimately no one knows… I don’t want to know the other scores in the first half, but from half time onwards I might need to, but before then a point could be enough – we might get all three and it’s not enough! I can’t control what’s going on elsewhere, I can only control what my group’s doing.”
“I think Fleetwood has been on everyone’s radar here at Priestfield since they lost on Tuesday (to Sheffield Wednesday), but other than that, Morecambe might not need anything, they might need one, they might need all three!”
“We can go through the scenarios all we like, but we have to take care of business ourselves… if I start over thinking things, the players will do the same. We’ve just got to focus on seeing what Saturday brings – all that I do know is that I need a performance and the right mentality from my group.”
“Even though I’ve only been here since February 1st, I still feel emotionally invested in the situation we’re in. I still as manager of the football club take responsibility in the position that we’re in and for us being where we are.”
“It’s a straight shoot out similar to going to a Play Off Final as when you go there it’s your whole season can unravel in one game. It’s different to a Cup Final as the result will not affect your livelihood of the League status for a football club – Saturday does and goodness, Saturday matters as it’s a whole season in ninety minutes.”
“Our supporters will probably be even more anxious than me on the day as they’ll probably be checking their phones every minute,” Harris joked.
“I don’t have to do that! You know the worst part for me at Portsmouth last week when people around kept shouting the scores out… it’s much better standing in front of the bench not being able to hear.”
“They’re going to create a great atmosphere I know that… look at the Fleetwood game, there was a nervousness about the place! I thought they were great at the start followed by a nervousness when we didn’t really get going and then it came into life, and we really could have scored a couple of goals.”
“I fully understand the nervousness, but I would like to say to the fans the same as I’ve told the players – where we are today was not unthinkable but was unrealistic on February 1st!”
“So, yes, it’s going to be nerve wrecking; yes, we want to be in League One next season rather than League Two, but there has to be an element as well of come to Priestfield and enjoy it and be a part of it and you’ve got a chance to being part of a minor miracle!”
“Can we enjoy these types of occasions? I know I’m going to enjoy it certainly – what a great experience to be involved in our industry at this stage of the season in a pivotal game…”
Harris remained tight lipped about the standing of his own squad, but did confirm that despite his own red card at Fratton Park last weekend, he will be in the Gills dugout on Saturday.
Tickets are still available and will remain on sale for Gills fans only until just kick off – Rotherham meanwhile will be backed by a two thousand travelling support which is all ticket.