The Gills should be backed by a big crowd this Saturday Pic: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Andy Hessenthaler is hoping his team put on a show this weekend after drawing a blank last time out at Priestfield.

A bumper crowd is expected on Saturday as fans take advantage of reduced admission prices.

Over 7,000 fans watched the Gills stumble to a goalless draw against Bradford during their last home game and Gills boss Hessenthaler hopes the players don’t make the same mistakes against Bristol Rovers.

“Hopefully we will have a nice crowd and put on a performance that is better than the last one here,” said Hessenthaler.

“We didn’t get going (against Bradford) and we weren’t at the races. Hopefully a big crowd will get out boys going and the tempo will be good.”

Saturday’s gate could be boosted further as fans take advantage of the chance to buy their Stoke FA Cup tickets with the combination of one for the Rovers game.

Hessenthaler believes that should help give his men the edge in their League 2 clash.

He said: “I was a player that didn’t really let anything effect me, whether it was a big or small crowd, I would just get on with my game. “But it does help when you can hear the noise and when we are attacking. It makes you feel good and helps your confidence. Without a doubt that can only help us at the weekend.”

The Gills are unbeaten in seven games, keeping clean sheets in the previous three, but successive goalless draws in the league have left them sitting seventh in the table.

Charlie Lee is expected to be fit, despite missing training in the early part of the week because of a dead leg, but loan striker Jo Kuffour is unable to play against his parent club.

Will a big Priestfield crowd help the Gills? Comment below.