Gillingham boss Steve Lovell refused to be downcast ahead of a week that could define the club’s season – with trips to Doncaster Rovers and Plymouth Argyle.

A buoyant Lovell said after the 2-0 loss to Southend United last weekend:

“When we went 2-0 down no-one’s head went and we had chances through Bradley Stevenson and Mark Byrne as their keeper made two good saves and we also had a couple of opportunities from set plays which are positives that we have to take out of a disappointing afternoon. We’ve got to come through this little patch that we’re going through and come out the other side.”

“I’m not surprised to see any team towards the top of the table as League One is so tight and very open. We haven’t got the Blackburns or your Wigans like we’ve had in the past – there’s no one that’s been outstanding who you can go into thinking we’re not going to anything.”

“Going to Portsmouth and getting a result shows we can do it, but it’s the consistency level that we need to show and definitely going to Doncaster on Saturday, if we play like we did at Fratton Park, we will get a result.”

“We all believe that we can turn things around, we all do. It’s the same as it was last year – the other thing is being unable to put a team out that’s consistent as I think, we’ve only managed to do that a couple of times only this season.”

“You’re not changing and swapping players every week, but that’s what we must do at the moment. Injuries are taking their toll and I don’t think we’ve played the same side as I say twice. It’s something where players get used to playing with partners both up front and in defence. We’ve just to get a couple of results and settle on getting a result together and take it from there!”

When asked for his weekly medical bulletin, the Gills boss began with some unexpected good news.

“Gabs (Zakuani) I think will be OK – he trained Thursday without any problems, but Dean’s (Parrett) ankle means he’s going to be out for a few weeks. No bones broken just some damage, so he shouldn’t be out for too long I hope!”

“When Gabs went off Saturday I think we feared the worse, but he’s made of tougher old boots, but he’s come through which is great. Billy’s (Bingham) OK too, he’s been training and I’m hoping that he’ll be with us on Saturday, but Regan’s (Charles_Cook) still out for a bit longer and so is Brandon (Hanlan) – who’s still looking at another couple of weeks.”

Heading towards Doncaster and their main marksman, Lovell was full of praise for the former Gills loanee leading the Yorkshire team so very well.

“John Marquis was playing for us when we took over a few years ago when he was on loan from Millwall,” Lovell remembered.

“He works hard, and he’s done well – he’s scoring goals as he did last year as well and again doing a job. We know what to expect from John, he puts himself about and works very hard. He’s like most of the centre forwards that we play against in this League – they do that and put you under pressure just as ours do! We know how they’re going to set up and it’s up to us to be ready for them.”

“It’s another game and another challenge that we have to stand up to and that defensively we stop giving these sloppy goals away.”

“We know that the Football world is all about getting results and is a business, but I just want to be able to get everyone back fit so that I’m judged on a team playing the way that my team wants to play.”

“That makes the next four or five games really important at this stage of the season and we’ve got to get enough results. And if we don’t, people will start – whatever happens it’s out of my hands! I’m just doing what I’ve been asked to do!”

“As I say, it will be nice to get everyone back because I know that when we get everyone back, we won’t be in this position and we’ll be a lot higher in the table. So, let’s get everyone back and everyone work together to get us moving up.”