by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham boss Martin Allen changed his pre-match routine on Saturday to help lift the players before their match against Plymouth.

Instead of watching from afar, he led the warm-up session out on the pitch.

Allen, pictured, said: “The players needed help, they needed guidance and support. I normally lay on my sofa in the office with Monty (the dog) and just totally chill before the games. I don’t do anything."

But after a home defeat in their previous game against Oxford was followed by vocal criticism from the Priestfield support, Allen felt his presence was needed.

He said: “We all took a lot of criticism. It was lead from the front and get out there, in front of those supporters. Show the players there is no fear.”

Allen conducted a lively session and he said: “We did have fun, we had a few laughs and I tried to relax them and keep them calm.

“In the gym we did some of my yoga exercises and we played with calmness, good decision making, with skill and good quality and then when the times came we were tenacious.

“It is no detriment to James Russell or John Schofield and Carl Muggleton. What they do is fantastic, but I felt the players needed a little more help and I wanted to be with them.”