Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler calls on his players to hold their nerve ahead of Macclesfield Town match
08:00, 29 April 2011
Gillingham line up before Monday's win at Rotherham Pic: Barry Goodwin
by Luke Cawdell
Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler is hoping his team can banish their Priestfield jitters for the final home league fixture this weekend.
A win against Macclesfield could clinch them a play-off spot in League 2 but Hessenthaler knows his team need to improve drastically on recent home performances.
The Gills have failed to win any of their previous three games at Priestfield and last weekend suffered a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Barnet.
"At home it’s been a bit nervous and we have to get over it," said Hessenthaler.
"I was disappointed for the fans last Saturday because they didn’t deserve that.
"Let’s hope we’re not nervous and we give it a right go against Macclesfield. If we are right, we will win the game."
Gillingham could head into Saturday's game outside the play-off positions.
If Torquay beat title-hopefuls Chesterfield on Friday night the Devon club will leapfrog the Gills into seventh spot. A win for Chesterfield, however, would mean that Gillingham require just one more win themselves to guarantee making the play-offs.
"It’s a massive week," said the Gills boss. "The Torquay-Chesterfield game might go for us and then we will know what we have to do.
"We could get a win and that could be enough. There is that one place left for the play-offs and we are all fighting for it."
Do you think the nerves are to blame on Gillingham's current poor home form? Comment below.
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