Gills boss Ady Pennock has called on the Priestfield faithful to once again make the ground the “Fortress” that it was when he played for the club.

Pennock began his weekly briefing by talking about an encouraging midweek game.  “We played a Belgian side and it was a good run out for everyone.  It was a good tempo – a proper game just what I wanted.”

“Lee Martin and Bradley Garmston got 90 minutes under their belts which was great for them. The guys had the GPS system on their backs, but the best system for me is my own eyes as they don’t lie, but you could see that the boys put a good shift in.”

“It was good to see Josh Parker on the scoresheet – we’re just waiting for his international clearance to come through. We’re hoping that might be before the weekend, but I’m not holding my breath! Overall, I thought the work rate was good and they did exactly what I asked of them.”

Martin, who suffered that horrific injury at Leyton Orient in pre-season received special praised from his manager.

“Lee came through the game very well and I was very pleased for him,” Pennock said.

“Sadly the weekend will come too soon for him, as it’s not just the fitness, it is the mental issues as well. He was chuffed to get through the game as we all are for him, and more importantly he got through it with flying colours.”

“His fitness levels are great as he’s a naturally fit lad and I think that’s helped. But his recovery has come from hard work as an individual and I take my hat off to him as an individual. This is the hardest part for him, however he’s close, but not there just yet…”

The manager then turned his attention to the signing and the then non signing of Bondz N’Gala last week in a confusion over new FIFA signing regulations.

N’Gala has since gone on to pen a deal with Dover Athletic until the end of the season.

Pennock admitted, “To be fair to Bondz he cancelled it (the contract) himself, which shows the character of the lad for me. He could have sat here on it for the rest of the season.”

“But he thought it was right decision and I’m delighted to the guy that he did, because he could have stayed and not kicked a ball.”

“I went to see him and to give him a lot of credit, as a lot of people would have just sat on the contract, he knew the situation…  I’ve invited him back to join us pre-season and we’ll go from there.”

“It was just a mess last week and whilst I don’t want to point any fingers, we were one of six or seven clubs I believe who received an email from both the Football League and the FA apologising that they didn’t tell us the new FIFA ruling at the start of the season.”

“The bigger picture though is that I’ve lost a very good player and he’s got a baby on the way which makes it even tougher to take.”

“But fair play to him – I’ve heard that he may still be able to play in the Conference to get a wage there, but I don’t understand that. It’s been a mess, but it’s been resolved and I wish him good luck and we’ll see him pre-season hopefully raring to go.”

Pennock then spoke of the 2-2 draw at Bradford City last weekend. “I would have loved to have played in a game like that,” the Gills boss admitted.

“It was a great atmosphere and the crowd, to be fair to Bradford, were very good. They were appealing for everything and that’s what we want to happen at Priestfield.”

“I think we’ve got four out of the next five at home and we need backing like that – referees are only human and when you’ve got thousands of fans screaming for a decision it has to help.”

Pennock then turned the focus on the coming weekend. “Port Vale are playing for a caretaker manager and we know it’s a difficult game but we’re at home. I don’t want any excuses, as it’s all about us winning games and that’s what we’ve got to start doing.”

“We need the crowd to help us be the twelth man on Saturday and for the rest of the season as we look to make this place into a fortress again.”

“The crowd are always massive for us and I was really touched by the reception that they gave us on Saturday – it was a shame that we couldn’t get the win for them as they deserve one.”

“The players do too with the work ethic they’ve shown since I’ve come in, so fingers crossed it will be Saturday.  These next two games are massively important for us…”

“Because we’re at home and we want this place to become a fortress and we’ve got to start to keeping clean sheets.  We need the crowd on Saturday and for the rest of the season – they’ve been unbelievable already as I knew that they would be, but we need them to take it to the next level.”

“Win, lose or draw they’re always there for us as they’re very passionate…”

Reflecting on his first month in charge, Pennock said, “We’ve had three away games and just the Shrewsbury game at home, and we’re looking for the win as much as anyone as we’ve been looking to win all four.”

“But we’re “all” managers out there on a Saturday afternoon with a different opinion and not everyone will agree with my team selection, but that’s what makes it such a tremendous game – we’ve all got our own opinions and that’s why we all love it so much!!!”