Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Gill: We Want to Keep Up That Winning Momentum
Monday, 7th Oct 2019 15:59

First-team coach Matt Gill says Tuesday’s Leasing.com Trophy tie against Gillingham at Portman Road is a chance to maintain the momentum which has been built up since the beginning of the season.

The Blues are top of League One with their last league defeat in their penultimate game of last season at Sheffield United, 12 games ago, a run of nine wins and three draws.

In all competitions, they are unbeaten in 10 since the Carabao Cup loss at Luton in August, including the 2-1 defeat of Tottenham’s U21s in their first ever Leasing.com Trophy tie, and have won their last four.

A win against the Gills would secure a place in the knockout phase of the competition with one more group game - next month's visit to Colchester United - still to play.

“Obviously it’s the next game, we want to keep that momentum of winning games,” Gill said. “Regardless of what competition it is you want to win the next game and that’s certainly our approach again.”

Manager Paul Lambert, who will again make wholesale changes, has previously said he doesn’t see the point of the competition but Gill is just looking at the match as another fixture.

“I would just like to win the next game, that’s very much a cliché, regardless of what competition it is,” he added.


“I think it can be addictive winning and that’s what we need to try and breed at this club and really enjoy winning. It’s another opportunity to win a game.

"We’ve been taking the season in six-game blocks. Wycombe would have been that 12th game in the league but so far the blocks have been going we’re really pleased taking each game as it comes. A very boring answer, but that is how it is and how it needs to be.

“There’s that many games this year that if you look too far ahead I think that’s when problems can occur and so it’s just about winning our next game and keeping the momentum and the feel-good factor.

“Obviously the fans have been absolutely unbelievable this season and we need to continue to have their support and give them something to cheer about.”

Is he surprised at how well the season has gone so far? “I would definitely have taken it sat in the summer!” he laughed.

“I think we had a little bit of negative momentum last year and to turn that around so quickly having had a really good pre-season is all credit to the players, the staff and everyone that’s been a part of the football club, the fans included.

“They’ve been a big part of that, so to turn it around and have that momentum is great. But, like I said, we need to continue it, the league’s not won in September or October, we need to continue to win games and take each one as it comes.”

Having made that start the level of expectation on the players inevitably increases with the Blues now the overwhelming favourites to win promotion.

“I think that’s why it’s important to remain level-headed and not get too far ahead,” Gill continued. “I think we’re going to have real tough games, there are going to be tough runs. We will lose games at some point, so it’s important that we don’t get too far ahead.

“We’re more or less everyone’s cup final at the minute, we knew it was going to be tough when you’re a good side int he league and when you’ve made the start that we have teams are going to make it really difficult for you and maybe raise their game.

“We know that that’s the case and our approach to every game needs to be the same, that it’s about what we do, concentrate on our performance and normally the outcome looks after itself.”

Just over a fortnight ago the Blues beat the Gills 1-0 at the Priestfield Stadium in a hard-fought fixture.

“That was obviously a very competitive game,” Gill recalled. “It was superb to come away with another clean sheet, that’s been a real platform that we’ve built this year to win away games. Again it was the same on Saturday. It’ll be another competitive game, they always are, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Might he have to calm things down on the touchline with the managers having fallen out at the Priestfield Stadium?

“I don’t know about that. I’ll obviously concentrate on what’s going on on the pitch,” Gill said. “Anything in that technical area, I can’t really afford another fine this season so I’ll stay well clear!”

He added: “They are [two passionate characters] and it’s a competitive environment, everyone wants to win, like everyone wants to play, everyone wants to win games.

“I think there’s a lot of competitive people in our environment, in their environment and other opposition’s environment, so it’s one of those things that sometimes it does boil over. But, like I said, I’m staying well clear and I’ll be purely watching the game on the pitch.”


Photo: TWTD



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



Upthetown1970 added 16:21 - Oct 7
Smith, Brown and Gibbs from the u18's on the bench would be great experience for those youngsters. I know other team blood 16 and 17 year olds in this competition
0

Dissboyitfc added 20:06 - Oct 7
i love a winning mentality, go for it we have had a not losing mentality for too long now!
1

mojo added 21:21 - Oct 7
Is it a coincidence Gill is doing all the pre match interviews against the Gills? 😂
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024