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Gillingham midfielder Mark Bentley writes exclusively for the KM Group

08:00, 11 February 2011

Youngster Callum Davies is shown a red card on his debut
Youngster Callum Davies is shown a red card on his debut

Last time Gills faced Crewe, youth team skipper Callum Davies started at centre-back, and was sent-off inside half an hour

We travel to Crewe this weekend, which brings back memories of the last time we played them at Priestfield in November.

The 3-1 defeat was the lowest of the low points for us this season. It was the match after the Dover FA Cup first round game and it was as bad as we’ve felt.

It was also the start of the recovery for us. We had a meeting in the week after the game and spoke to a sports psychologist.

We felt we were embarrassing ourselves and the club. We were favourites to go up but were not doing ourselves justice.

We won seven of the next eight and since then we’ve proved a lot of people wrong and now we’re playing well with a settled side and plenty of confidence.

Tuesday was another good result for the team and going up to our highest position of the season in League 2 is fantastic when you think about how we started the season.

Despite the win, though, it is really frustrating for me at the moment. I came off the bench in injury-time and while I’m pleased to see the team winning, you want to be out there and be a part of the team’s success.

The boys are keeping me out of the team and you have to earn the shirt and take the opportunity when you get it. I was the one who got injured. I am working as hard as I can in training but if the boys are producing results, they are going to keep their places.

I am desperate to play, especially at my age you don’t want to be sat on the bench. I’m not used to it.

Mark Bentley comes away with the ball
Mark Bentley comes away with the ball

The next few games are against sides in and around us. The most important thing for us is to stick around the play-off places over the next few weeks because after that, the schedule gets a little bit easier and there are points there for us to pick up.

It will be good for the lads to have a break after Saturday’s game because a few have picked up niggles. Matty had to come off on Tuesday which was a blow but it saw the return of Simon King.

He looked pale on the bench when he was told he was going on and was understandably nervous but everyone was delighted for him and he got a standing ovation from the bench as well as the crowd.

There was a lot of concern he may never play again but he’s worked so hard to come back. Being out for three months with a foot injury was the worst experience I’ve ever had, so for him to come back after 18 months is incredible.

Saturday’s goalless draw against Oxford was not the greatest but we can’t use the weather as an excuse. I’m sure Oxford were happier with a point than us but it still means we picked up four points from six which is a good return in two home games.

It never looked like there would be a goal coming. Cody had been sick the day before and probably shouldn’t have played but he wants to play and score goals.

He and Bayo have formed a good partnership and it was easy to see which pair of strikers were the best on show when we played Rotherham.

One of the things about Cody is that he brings a lot to the team, even when he’s not scoring.

Goals aside, I think he has even more of an impact on the team than Simeon Jackson, with all due respect to Jacko. Cody has definitely got a bright future in the game.

I enjoyed watching Match of the Day on Saturday, there were plenty of goals

and as a Tottenham man, I was pleased to see Arsenal throw away a four-goal lead on their travels.

I was sat on the bench and someone said it was 4-0 after 25 minutes and I was thinking it was going to be nine or 10, so for Newcastle to come back was an incredible result!

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