Defender Conor Masterson is keen to put last week’s loss at MK Dons behind him and see his Gillingham side get back to winning ways on Saturday.

It was a frustrating afternoon last Saturday for Gillingham as a much improved performance yielded nothing from the club’s trip to MK Dons leaving players, officials and supporters alike to ponder what might have been. 

We’ve been talking to Irish defender Conor Masterson about the disappointments of last weekend, and the young Irish defender admitted, “It’s been good for us to have the whole week on the training field,” he said.

“We came in on Monday and went through the game and we looked back at the game as a team and a coaching staff, and we looked at each other… we played well and nullified them.”

“They had a lot of the ball, but they do that to every team that they play, so I felt that we played well, created chances, but just did not take them and then shot ourselves in the foot!”

“That’s the frustrating bit, but we know that if we keep creating these chances and keep being positive it will turn.” 

“We were very disappointed in the dressing room after the game as we did play well and put them under a lot of pressure, but I just think that we missed that killer finish at the end, but we’ve got a big game coming up on Saturday (against Walsall at Priestfield) and we all want to win at home in front of our own fans!” 

Speaking to Masterson with the transfer window still being open, we asked the 25-year-old if he could imagine days when the window did not exist.

He replied, “not as it has been there ever since I have been playing in January and in the summer. It is the way of the football world, and it is what you get used to.”

“My mindset is straight forward – if I’m at a club, I am going to focus being at that Club until I am told otherwise and then I would focus on the next Club I would be going to.” 

“I do not want to call us a “nearly team” but we are nearly there. If we can rack a few results together, I think we will be there, and it is important that we keep it going.”

“I think this was my second or third “home” when I actually came to Gillingham and so I knew what it was like to come to a new Club and if I am honest, I really enjoy it here. I have played my best football here and I’ve warmed to the fans a lot!”

Gillingham welcome Walsall to Priestfield this weekend with fans and players alike looking for an improved performance on the last game at home where the Gills were held by lowly Forest Green.

Masterson said, “I can appreciate the fans’ frustration, but it shows that we have come a long way as a team and a Club.”

“We’ve a lot of top players in our team and they were at the wrong end of the table, and I thought they played well as they came with a game plan, and it worked.”

“But I can understand the fans’ frustrations as they want to be at the top end of the table – that is what we are all hoping for!” 

In recent weeks, Masterson has been part of a three man central defence along Max Ehmer and Shad Ogie, and we asked him about the change in shape; he told us, “it’s great – defensively it’s easier as you’ve got the extra man and it does help having Max between us as he’s experienced and is a leader in our team and helps!”