Dean Holdsworth is looking forward to Saturday’s trip to Priestfield and although the fixture will be the new manager's toughest challenge since taking over the reins as the Shots boss, he said that it was games such as these that made him want to manage in the Football League.
”I’m expecting a very tough game,” he told Charlie Oliver from the Aldershot News. ”But we will go there with a plan, a desire to do the right things and will pass the ball with a purpose.
”As ever, it’s a case of which team takes their chances and makes the fewest mistakes.
The Shots enter the match in 14th place in League Two with 32 points from 25 games, while the Gills are ninth with 37 points having played a game more.
Shots Team News
The Shots will be looking to continue their great start under Holdsworth’s leadership which has seen them rise away from the relegation places and new signing Alex Rodman has signalled the club's intention to reach the play-offs.
”Dean [Holdsworth] is one of the main reasons I’ve come to the club, I’ve heard really good things about him from players that have worked with him and hopefully we can create some of the success that he had with Newport here at Aldershot.
”He’s had a great start at the club and we’re only six points off the play-offs so that has to be our aim and I’m hoping to be part of a promotion-winning team and I’m really, really looking forwards to it."
Damian Spencer and John Halls made their return from injury during the week to feature in a match against the youth team after the Reserves match against Brentford was postponed but neither are expected to feature. New signing Alex Rodman however, is expected to go straight into the side
Shots from: Jamie Young, Jordan Clement, Ben Herd, Simon Grand, Luke Guttridge, Darren Jones, Jamie Vincent, Anthony Charles, Ben Harding, Anthony Straker, Danny Hylton, Manny Panther, Aaron Morris, Peter Vincenti, Clayton Fortune, Jermaine McGlashan, Jack Randall, Wade Small, Alex Rodman, Reece Connolly, Tim Sills.
The Opposition
Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler lay the blame for Tuesday evening’s 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Chesterfield firmly at the feet of his side's failure to take their chances and he will be looking for a vast improvement against The Shots.
Speaking to the media he said: ”As a manager, we have to be critical with the goals we’ve given away and slightly critical of the amount of chances we’ve created and not taken.
"We need to work on that and hopefully come Saturday, if we create that amount of chances again and the keeper is not in such good form, then we can tuck a few away."
Andy Barcham failed to recover from a knock in time for Tuesday’s defeat against Chesterfield but is expected to make his return against The Shots, however top scorer Cody McDonald missed training on Thursday with fatigue and is reportedly a doubt for the match. Dennis Oli (hamstring), Chris Palmer (knee), Mark McCammon (ankle) and Tony Sinclair (fractured foot) all remain sidelined.
Gillingham from: Alan Julian, Lance Cronin, Daren Hawkes, Barry Fuller, John Nutter, Curtin Weston, Simon King, Garry Richards, Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley, Cody McDonald, Andy Barcham, Luke Rooney, Matthew Lawrence, Josh Gowling, Danny Spiller, Danny Jackman, Nicky Southall, Andy White, Stefan Payne, Dean Rance, Connor Essam, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Jack Payne, Ashley Miller, Joe Martin and Callum Davies.
Taking Charge
Phil Gibbs will be taking charge of the match and will be assisted by Gary Evetts and Rob Whitton. Darren Blunden is the fourth official.
Weather Forecast
The BBC weather forecast for the match given as grey cloud with highs of 3°C.
Ticket News
Tickets for the match are set at:
Adult seats: £23 or £20 if purchased in advance.
Senior Citizens seats: £19 or £16 if purchased in advance.
Young Adults (16 to 21 year olds) seats or £16 or £13 if purchased in advance.
Under 16s seats: £11 or £9 if purchased in advance.
Wheelchair + helper seats: £23 or £20 if purchased in advance.
The match is not all-ticket and supporters can pay on the turnstiles on the day.
Other News
- BBC Radio Surrey
Supporters are advised that there is no live or internet coverage of this match.