Manager Neil Harris has lots to ponder over the coming week after Gillingham’s 3-0 home loss to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Ending the game with ten men after Dan Phillips was sent off for the third time this season, the Gillingham manager had to concede that Bolton were far the better side at Priestfield.

Having conceded on the half hour mark, Bolton cruised to victory in the second period, bagging two more goals after Phillips saw red and Harris admits his side were brought back down to earth after winning at Lincoln City:

“It is quite possibly a reality check after a really strong performance at Lincoln. We had a really good week and the atmosphere was great but there are some good sides in this division and we are where we are for a reason.”

“We are trying to rescue the season – we have done brilliantly until today and this is just a harsh setback for us, we thought this was winnable.”

“Bolton had some really good patterns with the ball and they caused us problems. They have spent a lot of money and fair play to them for that – they are getting the reward.”

“It wasn’t harsh on us. They scored a really good goal but could’ve been in front before. Their build up play was excellent and the risk vs reward worked.”

“Our levels were off and we’ll look at why. Maybe we worked too hard in training. We looked a lot better second half and more coherent as a team.”

Meanwhile, Harris admitted he would be fining Phillips the maximum amount possible following his third dismissal of the season after two yellow cards inside four minutes at the weekend:

“The red card completely changed it. No complaints with the decision.”

“It’s Dan’s third red of the season. He’s young and talented but he’s going to have a long ban now and will get the maximum fine from me.”

“I said it to him in front of the players in the changing room. I really enjoy working with him but he has to earn the trust of the players.”

“I can’t defend Dan. You can once, twice is reckless and poor but to happen three times is not a coincidence. He needs to learn.”

Once again Mustapha Carayol failed to finish a game he started and Harris admitted the attacking midfielder will once again face a spell on sidelines:

“Another injury issue with Muzzy. How do we keep players on the pitch? We prepare players, rest players, get them right, but we need players to stand up and be counted.”

“Muzzy has played today but he has come off with a torn hamstring. Will he be on the training ground this week? I don’t know. Ben Reeves wasn’t on it enough this week to play and we need everybody. We’ll have to see how Muzzy is and how Ben reacts to see if either are available next week.”

“I’m angry now because we don’t want to lose games but we need everybody fit and available and free from suspension and injury. We haven’t got anyone else coming back.”

The one positive for Harris to take from Saturday’s game was that other results went their way and they remain just three points from safety, but with only ten games left in the season, he admitted his side need to start picking up more wins:

“We haven’t lost ground. We have played today against a top four side over the last 10 games. You need luck with when fixtures fall.”

“I am upset and angry today but I can still stand here and be positive. We are playing good sides and as long as the players give me everything, which they have, we accept we just have to move onto the next one quickly.”

“I have to focus on next Saturday – I want to protect the mentality of the group but next week we have a massive week with three games in a week. I cannot wait for that week and it will go a long way to deciding things.”

“We will go to Doncaster looking to win. We will be confident. I will pick the players up, my personality and character and love for the game has to rub off on them. Their love of training and the game, and we will find ways.”

“I have choice words but I reminded them how great they have done for me. I am still positive because the job is huge and exciting. Just because I’m positive, it doesn’t mean I’m hurting, but I have to be positive.”

With Doncaster Rovers going into the game below The Gills in the League One table, it could be described as a six pointer.

Lose and Gillingham will start to feel their season is dwindling into the wilderness and League Two beckons.

After the trip to Doncaster on Saturday, Gillingham make the short trip up the A2 to face Charlton Athletic on Tuesday 15th with Sheffield Wednesday coming to Priestfield the following Saturday.

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.