Gillingham v Charlton Athletic preview: Manager Steve Evans and visiting boss Nigel Adkins both keen to turn form around
06:00, 21 September 2021
Gillingham’s slow start to the season is not a concern for boss Steve Evans.
A heavy home defeat on Saturday has left the Gills sitting fifth from bottom - still better placed than midweek visitors Charlton Athletic who are one off the foot of the table.
The Gills took some time to get firing in Evans’ first season and also had a strong second half of the last campaign. The manager is confident they will start picking up soon.
Speaking after Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Milton Keynes Dons, he said: “We need to regroup, there are no panic stations.
“We have led at Burton, led at Shrewsbury and led again (against MK Dons) and we have taken one point out of nine but certain things have happened in those games and when we have been in command it is outside our sphere.
“Stuart O’Keefe getting a second yellow is outside the sphere.”
The Gills were leading 1-0 before O’Keefe got his marching orders.
Charlton clearly have more resources than the Gills but they’ve found the going tough so far.
Evans wasn’t concerned about their plight, however.
He said: “We have got enough to focus on ourselves internally to worry about Charlton.
“It is a big game for us and I have nothing but respect for Charlton. We know how tough Tuesday will be.
“When you break the squads down, arguably it will be harder than Saturday, but we hope we have a sensible referee.”
The pressure is on Charlton boss Nigel Adkins to get a result.
His team lost to Wycombe on Saturday and have just one win to their name in the league so far, sitting second from bottom.
Speaking about the fans’ frustration, Adkins said: “I understand. We need to be getting out of this division. We need to be winning every game that we go and play but we haven’t done that.
“You could see the supporters were right behind the team but when we’ve gone behind it makes it more challenging. That’s what happens, it’s human nature.”
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