Luke Rooney receives treatment for cramp during Gillingham's defeat by Shrewsbury. Picture: Barry Goodwin

By Luke Cawdell

Gillingham players will be facing extra fitness training this week after boss Andy Hessenthaler pinpointed it as a key reason behind his side’s slump in form.

Hessenthaler was concerned to see his team come off second best to Rotherham and Shrewsbury in the past two weeks, with both sides expected to challenge the Gills for promotion this season.

The Gills lost 1-0 to Shrewsbury at Priestfield on Saturday after conceding an injury-time penalty.

Hessenthaler said: "The biggest thing for me, and I will address it, was that I didn’t think we were fit enough. They (Shrewsbury) were fitter than us and that’s a concern to me. Maybe we have to do some more work on the training ground.

"People talk about feeling tired when you concede a goal but we hadn’t conceded a goal. We had every chance of going on to win the game. They looked like they were getting around the pitch a lot better than we were.

"We just need to do some sharper work in their legs. From box to box at times they don’t look as fit as I would like them to be.

"We need to be sharper mentally as well. When the ball changes hands I don’t think at times we see the picture. Whether that’s because we have a young side, in respect of the midfield areas, we have to do better."

An additional concern for Hessenthaler is a knee injury picked up by Jack Payne. The club will know more about the extent of the injury later this week.

Is Andy Hessenthaler right? Would a fitter Gills side won on Saturday? Have your say in our comments section below.