Nutter's Natter with Gillingham defender John Nutter
Published: 11:21, 16 September 2009
Updated: 11:22, 16 September 2009
E-mail your comments and questions to John Nutter at jnutter@thekmgroup.co.uk
I’m sure everyone is looking forward to Millwall at Priestfield, a big game against a good side.
These matches are the reason we wanted to get promoted so much. Millwall were close to getting promotion last season and they have not lost any major players, so they will fancy their chances again.
It will be a good test for us but a great chance to show what we can do.
These are the games you really want to be involved in.
I’m sure there will be a great atmosphere and I know I speak for all the players when I say we are looking forward to having a real go at taking three points.
It was a great end to a positive week last Saturday, with a deserved three points against Exeter coming off the back of two solid draws.
It was also great to score three goals and jump into the top half of the table, which is where we all want to be.
It was always going to be tricky against a tidy side, who were promoted with us last year.
But we got a great start and, as is becoming more and more predictable, Jacko stuck away the penalty with ease. That start set us up for a good win, even after losing Mark McCammon to a hamstring strain.
We started the second half in the same way – in fact, we scored even quicker this time!
It must have been about five seconds after kick-off when little Jacko (Danny Jackman) hit a ball for the slightly less little Jacko to pounce on a weak header and put us 2-0 up.
Exeter began to come back in the game after that and the gaffer decided to change the wide boys, who had worked hard for us and Luke Rooney (pictured) and I came on for the last 20 minutes or so to shore things up a bit.
It turned out to be a great substitution! I nearly ruptured both hamstrings when pounding down the line to cross for Luke to stick away his first league goal – and what a great finish on his left foot.
It was nice to get on, especially after being unable to play any part on Tuesday and managing to set up the goal was a nice bonus.
Hopefully, the win can help us bounce into Saturday’s big one against Millwall and get another three points.
As I mentioned last week, I wasn’t able to train until Thursday after a virus. Being injured or ill and missing games is the only downside to being a footballer (apart from losing, of course).
You feel away from the action and seeing the boys training and playing games without you is a huge blow.
Not to mention the fact that you have a much longer day and week when you are not fit. Getting in earlier and going home later to get yourself back as quick as possible – every footballer hates that side of the game.
It also gives someone else the chance to get your shirt and keep you out of the team but that’s one of the strengths of our squad – great competition for places.
Read more
Sports ColumnsMore by this author
KentOnline reporter