Gillingham head into their final fixture of 2024 on Monday night knowing that three points at AFC Wimbledon could yet mean a reasonable Christmas campaign and a springboard into 2025 with striker Elliott Nevitt keen to get back to winning ways.

In the build up to Christmas, KSN spoke to striker Nevitt about his first festive season in Kent as well as the goals and targets for 2025.

Nevitt told us, “I enjoy playing over the Festive period because it is a good time for teams to get together and start runs that could give them the boost going into the New Year!”

“We’ve got four big games in a short period of time – obviously disappointed at just one point so far, but there’s still opportunities to make it a decent Christmas.” 

“Colchester was a really tough test – they haven’t conceded in seven games now. It was a tough game, but it was a shame that we couldn’t get something for the fans who again were there in their numbers.” 

“Before Colchester, I thought we’d got some momentum going especially after the performance against Cheltenham. Getting three good results, even though the dressing room felt that it should have been three wins and looking back those games were so much better than the run that we have had before, the mood was higher and we felt that it was just the start, and hopefully we can do it again at Wimbledon.” 

Nevitt went into Christmas having “assisted” with both of the goals against Cheltenham under the MEMS Priestfield lights.

“I do that anyway,” Nevitt admitted, “At the minute, it’s frustrating that I am not scoring, but I do give one hundred percent every game, and every time I walk off the pitch, I hope I’ve given all of it!”

“And I hope that the fans see that, but of course it’s been frustrating that I haven’t scored more as there is no better feeling than scoring a goal – it’s the best feeling in the world – it has been hard, but I have just got to keep working hard and I hope that the goals will come!”

“I just have to keep believing in myself, which I will do, and hopefully the goals will come!” 

Nevitt has had a tough first half of the season with some injury struggles and the striker told us, “I got injured in pre-season and then played and scored before getting injured again!”

“Coming back, I’ve worked hard to build up my fitness and I hope that my performances lately show that I’m in a good place now after a run of games in the side.”

“It’s been tough for a lot of the squad as we have had a number who have been injured, but we seem to be getting a lot of them back now; it’s about time really that we have a near full squad.”

“Looking at players who are back now it feels like everyone is coming back at just the right time,” 

“Everyone in our squad is good enough to play and good enough to start and when everyone is fit, we will have a really strong bench too.”

“Everything will improve as the levels at training will go up as everyone will want to be involved on matchday and the pressure to perform will go up even higher as well.”

“That’s what we all should want, as that should bring the best out of you every time you play!”