Gills Boss Mark Stimson On Tomorrow

Last updated : 04 December 2009 By Thetashkentterror

Mark Stimson
Gillingham manager Mark Stimson spoke to BBC Radio Kent and his side's official website ahead of tomorrow's League One game against Carlisle at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium, Stimson first talking about United's current form away Brunton Park :


" They don't normally travel well and unfortunately for them wherever they travel is a long way. But they've got some good players and they've got some experienced players and we're going to have to be on our game again. They are a disciplined side and they've got a few experienced players right down the middle of the team. But we have been at home, so hopefully we can maintain that and if we do I am sure we can get the points we all want.

" Just looking at the league table this morning just above us, if you get a point or two you can really jump up some places so that is a good incentive for the boys. Carlisle are around the mini-league of ten that we are in, so it is important to take something from these teams. We've got to make sure we go at them and go for it on our home patch without leaving ourselves open at the back because they've got a couple of strikers that can score goals.

" Fingers crossed we keep a clean sheet again on Saturday but at home we are probably top five, something like that. So it is fantastic and we have got to try to maintain that, it is a record the boys are really proud of and they enjoy playing at home. I think the supporters really get behind them, I am not saying they don't when they go away from home because they do on their travels and they make their voices heard.

" That Rainham End is always packed, there's always noise coming out of there. Like I've always said, when players hear encouragement, and their name being sung it does wonders for you and makes you feel even bigger than you are. When there are four or five thousand doing that it's a major plus and long may that continue. "



" But the boys must have this feeling at home, they are comfortable and we try our hardest to try to make that away from home. It hasn't worked so far this season and we are just going to keep working at that. But also try to maintain this place where we don't want to give too much away.

" I think the last few weeks we have had some really awful conditions and I don't think the wind is going to be as strong this weekend, so that is a bonus. If it is just rainy and wet that is not a problem at all, the main problem is when the wind comes, that really affects the game more than anything.

" If all the boys are well and get here on time it will be a different starting line-up from Tuesday night. We've got one player with a niggle, a thigh strain which we'll have to examine today and see where we go. It's probably down to the warm up time he was given on Tuesday. There is also a little bit of a bug going around so we'll have to wait and see how everybody is by Friday morning.

" I will analyse Tuesday's game at Orient and see where we can improve. The main thing was retaining the ball again at key times. If you have the ball, don't give it away cheaply. If you do that at this level before you know it bang, it's in the back of the net. It's a harsh lesson to learn. "



" It's this time of year for bugs, there are a lot of things flying around and it only needs one or two to catch it and sometimes it's better to stay away for the day, regroup and come in tomorrow. Danny (Jackman) had some good news this week, he went to see the consultant and he can up his workload so that's good.

" Simon King is still a long way off, he's been to see his man again this week and it's a really slow process for Simon. It's frustrating for him because he's doing better but still a long way off. He won't be playing in January; Danny Jackman may be, but Simon, definitely not.

" Accrington or Barnet are going to be a difficult task in the FA Cup whichever we go to. Accrington at their pitch is always a tricky one to go to, it is not the best surroundings and you have to be really up ready for the fight. Barnet, since I have been here I haven't had the best results against Barnet so they are sort of my bogey team. But it is more local, we know a lot of their players, but whoever it is when we get round to it we will do it in a professional way and we will be desperate to get through to the fourth round.

" When we were in the last four of the draw I think everybody connected with the club was thinking please be Manchester United. But it wasn't to be and we take the next ball out obviously and it was Barnet or Accrington, I think that tie gives you a chance to qualify for the fourth round. "