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Steve Lovell admits player form is making his task of managing Gillingham easy

07:29, 19 March 2018

Gillingham boss Steve Lovell says his job is being made easy by the form of his team.

Lovell’s side were unable to show what they could do against league leaders Blackburn, after Saturday’s game was postponed, but they have already turned over many teams above them in the League 1 table.

With just four league defeats since taking charge, few in the camp have been able to knock on Lovell’s door demanding changes.

Gillingham boss Steve Lovell Picture: Ady Kerry
Gillingham boss Steve Lovell Picture: Ady Kerry

Lovell said: “I have quite a bit of competition in different areas, which is nice, but if people do their job with the team I put out that makes it easy for me doesn’t it?

“If you come in and perform and we get results then you stay in, that is the only way to be, then you have no worries about people knocking on your door, because it’s the truth.”

Even captain Lee Martin had to win his place back after missing out through injury.

“That is the way people lose their place," Lovell added. "If they go out because of injury or illness or are called up for internationals, or whatever, and they miss out and somebody comes in and takes their chance I can’t change it.

“Lee Martin missed a couple of games after coming back from injury and he is the club captain so it doesn’t matter who you are.”

Lovell isn’t short of players in reserve if he needs to call people up.

Up front Liam Nash and Rhys Murphy are unable to get a look-in right now, while midfielders Navid Nasseri and Franck Moussa have both struggled to see first team action.

Lovell is pleased that he has that quality in reserve should he need it.

He said: “It is nice to have those players who are not in the team and know that they could do a job for you.

“All the players could come in and do a job but you can only give 11 people a start.”

The Gills dropped one place to 12th in League 1 on Saturday and the gap between themselves and the play-offs was extended to eight points, although many results did go their way.

Play-off hopefuls Bristol Rovers, Charlton and Peterborough all dropped points. Plymouth sit in sixth but the Gills have a game in hand over them.

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