Gillingham have seven games left in their League One campaign with Peterborough United coming to Priestfield this weekend.

But for boss Ady Pennock, it was last weekend that was his focus was on to begin with when he spoke to KSN this week.

“After last week’s defeat at Rochdale, I had individual chats with every single member of the squad on Monday which was important after Saturday and now the boys are chomping at the bit for Saturday – we all are – and I really can’t wait for Peterborough on Saturday and getting back to winning ways as soon as we can!” he told us.

“I think that for the first time last Saturday we weren’t a team – we went in there as individuals which I was very disappointed with – we will learn from that and we need Priestfield absolutely rocking at 3:00pm Saturday afternoon.”

“It’s an important part of the season and in the predicament that we’re in, we need every single Gillingham fan who walks through the turnstiles to make it a carnival atmosphere.”

“We need the supporters – they’ve been fantastic since we’ve all been here, but we need this place rocking on Saturday – look at the last Saturday game here when we beat Scunthorpe; the atmosphere that day was unbelievable, but we need to help them on their way and we know that.”

“But we need them all to stick with us – bring balloons; bring your ticker tape; bring your toilet rolls just like they did all those years ago in Argentina – it’ll get the atmosphere going and that’s what we need.”

“The players more than anyone else need the supporters and they’ve been first class and we need them more than ever on Saturday!”

The Gills boss then turned his attention to his side’s crippling injury woes.  “I’ve never known anything like having five or six defenders injured at the same time – it’s unheard of in my book!” he said.

“Every individual is different and so is their pain threshold. Some take tablets when they’ve a headache – I don’t, I think nature should take its’ course.”

“We’re all different – we haven’t got X-ray eyes so you can’t say to anyone that you’re feigning injuries – you can’t say that because everyone’s pain threshold are so different.”

“If a player says he’s not fit and you force him to play and then he has to come off after five minutes, he’ll come off and all your plans go out of the window – you cannot force people to play.”

Trying to lighten the tone, the Gills boss then added, “We had twenty tonne of cotton wool come in last week, but seriously we’ve got to be careful and all the injuries do effect training too and we don’t want anyone else injured.”

“As for Saturday, we will leave it right to the latest possible minute – say around midday – if we can get one or two back then great!”

“Josh Wright is back from his ban but Zesh (Rehman) starts his. Harry Cornick will be involved after Bournemouth gave him the OK and Rory Donnelly will be involved which is a big bonus.”

“Chris Herd is definitely out but we’ve a couple who might be back. The defence is stretched completely and I’ll be hoping that we get some luck.”

“But there’s no point moping around – we’ve all got to embrace this challenge – my staff are, the players are and we need to supporters too as well. We know it’s tough, but we need them to come and make a lot of noise.”

He then turned his attention to Saturday’s visitors to Priestfield – Peterborough United.

“They are a good footballing side and if they turn up, they play a system that is tough, but they are inconsistent. We need the three points more than they do, but it’s all about us – it’s all about us on Saturday as a Football Club.”

“I followed almost every kick of the Coventry – Port Vale game on Tuesday – I was at a game and then Coventry went 2-0 up, I thought that’s it, I’m not looking at it until full time.”

“I’d be lying if I said we don’t follow other results – of course you do – you have to. We’ve got seven games left and if other teams can help us out, too right and thank you very much!”

“We need another good performance here and those three points to get closer to the line and the 52 points that I still think we need.”

Pennock finished by speaking about chairman Paul Scally’s plans that were announced this week to move the club to a new site at Mill Hill – about a mile away from Priestfield.

“It’s exciting times and the Chairman’s worked for years and years to get things up and running and it’s very close.  For me personally though it’s here and now which is what I’ve got to worry about, but once everyone gets to see the Chairman’s plan they’ll be blown away by something that has been his dream for many, many years.”

“It’ll be great for the football club, but it will be great for the area as well. People don’t like change, we know that, but this is a special football club and we’ve got to look forward. And that starts with three points against Peterborough on Saturday!”