Tom Nichols has been talking to KSN ahead of Gillingham’s trip to Grimsby Town on Saturday as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing defeat to Colchester United at Priestfield.
The striker, who celebrated his 30th birthday by netting his first goal of the season in the Gills Carabao Cup exit at Luton Town on Tuesday, told us, “It was nice to score at Luton. As I’ve got older, I don’t get as down as I used to when I don’t score which is probably why I’m not going on as long runs without scoring.
“I remember a good few years ago it would really affect me going eight or nine without scoring whereas now I just know that it will come if I keep getting in the right areas, keep working hard. It’s nice to score my first of the season but there was never a panic!”
“We needed a bounce back after Saturday at Luton and I think we got that for sure. We took a lot of confidence from Tuesday despite the result but running a Premier League team that close, how can we not be confident? Saturday was a big shock to everyone!
“We knew our performance level wasn’t good enough and we got punished. It wasn’t what we wanted but hopefully it will be a good little turning point for us knowing that if we do step off the gas that can happen!”
“We’ve got a very good squad depth at the club now, a lot of players who can come in and out which is good because it does get tiring throughout the season as there’s a lot of games that we play. There will be times where people will have to come in and out, I’m sure I’ll be one of those as well, it’s good for the squad.”
Nichols then had a word for his strike partner from last season Oli Hawkins and his continued struggled with his ankle injury. “I share lifts with him, he’s doing everything he can to get back and I hope it won’t be too long but it’s frustrating for everyone really,” Nichols exclaimed.
“We all saw how effective he was in our side at the end of last season and how well we played with him in it. The teams doing well at the moment and then we’re going to be even stronger when he does get back.”
“We’re in a much better position than we were last year, fans getting a little bit disgruntled as they were last Saturday is part of football, it happens in every walk of life, it’s just the way it is really. But if we put out the performances, we know we can then they’ll be right with us as they’ve been absolutely brilliant with us since I’ve been here, and we just need to put it right on Saturday!”