Rochdale will be hard to break down, says Gillingham boss Steve Lovell
00:00, 11 January 2018
Manager Steve Lovell wants to see Gillingham’s ruthless streak on home soil.
Gills have found home wins difficult to come by, with Lovell celebrating just one League 1 victory at Priestfield.
Weekend visitors Rochdale are second from bottom and it’s an opportunity for the Gills to pick up maximum points in front of their home fans.
Lovell said: “The home form is something that is important. It is not so bad now because we are winning away but we want to get back to winning at home so it takes the pressure off away from home.
“It will be a tough task for us. We have to make sure we break them down and when the opportunities come along, we have to take them.”
Gills are unbeaten in five at home but four of those matches have been drawn, including the last two.
“We have to finish the games off,” added Lovell.
“Away from home it doesn’t seem to be a problem but at home it can be. It is not through bad performance, it is just that we aren’t finishing teams off or teams are nicking things at the end and getting a point.
“We’re not on a bad run at home but we could do better and that’s what we will aim for.
“They are fighting for their lives. You know what teams like Rochdale are, they work hard, they are well organised and it will be another tough test for us at home.”
Lovell’s biggest injury concern ahead of the weekend was with striker Tom Eaves, nursing a knee injury following the New Year’s Day victory over Charlton.
The Gills boss hasn’t ruled out bringing in a new signing before the weekend.
Lovell is looking to bring “two or three” new faces to the club during the month-long transfer window.
He said: “There could possibly be one in. That is what we are hoping for and something could be happening.
“If it’s not this week, hopefully two or three people will come in before the end of January.”
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