by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham central defender Matt Fry, just 10 games into his professional career, firmly believes in the merits of doing some homework before a game.

The West Ham loanee believes in finding out what he can about the opposition strikeforce before every game and it’s a ploy that seems to be paying off for the 19-year-old.

On Saturday against Carlisle, Fry (pictured) helped Gills to a fifth home clean sheet.

He said: "Being so inexperienced and young I do my research before the game about the players I’m playing against.

"The gaffer (Mark Stimson) helps and if I’m unsure about something I will speak to him. He will help me out and I do my research at home - YouTube is a big help.

"Some of these players like Vincent Pericard (who played on Saturday) are well known and you don’t need people telling you who they are because I’ve known about him from when I was younger.

"I look at their general play. I try and get a feel for the kind of player they are and then when you go out on the pitch it helps."

Fry kept experienced front men Pericard and Graham Kavanagh quiet in the goalless draw on Saturday and he’s enjoying the learning curve.

"Every game I play is good for my experience and I would like to stay until the end of the season," he said.