Gillingham play Harrogate Town away on Easter Monday in League 2 – Head coach Stephen Clemence looks ahead to another crucial fixture
05:00, 01 April 2024
updated: 08:37, 01 April 2024
It’s close to must-win time for Gillingham and their head coach has a points total in mind that should see them make the play-offs.
Stephen Clemence’s side crept up a place to seventh after a goalless draw at home to Crewe on Friday and a win at Harrogate Town today (Monday) would make for a super Easter weekend.
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Clemence said: “We are getting to that (must-win) stage. We have probably got to get over 70 points to finish in the play-offs. I might be wrong, but we go into every game to try and win and I believe we have a great chance on the road at Harrogate.
“It will be a difficult game, but I think we give everyone a game, we’re a difficult opponent for anyone and I am going into that game nice and confident.
“I think we can get the three points and we are getting to the stage of the season where we have to put some wins together.
“I think history tells us that you have to get over 70 points, somebody will win a number of games, why can’t it be us?”
Crewe, in sixth, left Priestfield happy with a point to maintain a healthy gap between themselves and the rest of the teams pushing for a top-seven place. The Gills are one of around seven teams still chasing that final play-off spot.
League 2 table
The Gills are currently clinging onto that last play-off position but Harrogate - in 13th - might fancy their own chances if they can get a result today. They are five points behind Gillingham with a game in hand.
Clemence said: “There are so many twists and turns and we have probably been let off on a few occasions where we have drawn games and ended up moving up the table.
“Who knows what’s going to happen between now and the end of the season?
“What you do know in League 2 is that every game is difficult and anybody can beat anybody on their day, we’re going to have to make sure we take care of our business and try and get as many points as possible to see where we finish up, we are still in there with five games to go, we have a chance.
“After this game we’ll have four to go and if we are in there then of course you’ve got a chance. We’re in a strong position, we know if we can go to Harrogate and win then we will still be in a play-off position and teams are then under pressure to win their games and that has to be the aim - let’s go to Harrogate and and get three points.”
Harrogate have seen their own hopes of a play-off spot diminish with just one win in 10, Simon Weaver’s side struggling for positive results ever since being thumped 9-2 at Mansfield.
That win for Simon Weaver’s side ended a run of three successive home defeats and came against Yorkshire rivals Bradford City - who the Gills face away at the weekend.
Clemence said: “I am sure there will be a good atmosphere, their supporters will be right behind them, but our boys are used to that and will be ready to take on that challenge.
“Everyone pretty much still has something to play for, it has been an interesting league, people do normally fall away but that is because anyone can beat anyone on their day, that is why we’re probably in the situation we’re in now.
“I did my (UEFA) A licence with Simon Weaver a long time ago, he’s a good guy and has done a very good job at Harrogate. I am looking forward to seeing him but I will be going there to try and beat him.”
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