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Gillingham manager Neil Harris wants to make it fun at Priestfield and midfielder Olly Lee is enjoying the new regime

05:00, 11 February 2022

Neil Harris is big on discipline - like any respectable manager - but he wants his Gillingham players to have fun too.

There are boundaries and fines to be paid if players step out of line but Harris is keen for the players to enjoy the game at the same time.

Olly Lee has spoken of his enjoyment under new boss Neil Harris Picture: Barry Goodwin
Olly Lee has spoken of his enjoyment under new boss Neil Harris Picture: Barry Goodwin

On his own role, Harris said: “I have come here to enjoy myself and to develop as a manager.”

And speaking about his players, he commented: “I want them to enjoy it but when I talk they listen. When I say run, they run, but do it with a smile on your face.

“It is a football club and we have rules and regulations and we have to be strict at times but I want them to enjoy the game and when we have a game plan, they deliver it. When we have the ball they can express themselves as well, that is a big thing for me we have to work on.”

Olly Lee is one player who appears to be enjoying playing under the new manager.

Caretaker boss Steve Lovell and now Harris have both started Lee in every game they’ve taken charge of.

Speaking ahead of the midweek game, Lee said: “The management change, for me, has been brilliant. I felt it was exactly what the place needed. We needed positive vibes around the place. It's been a long time coming.

“We've had a lot of negativity and dark clouds hanging over the place. Football is fun and you start playing as kids because you love it. That's what we've gone back to. Going out to have fun and seeing where it takes us."

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