Walsall v Gillingham

GILLINGHAM boss Neale Cooper believes the side's defence must regain its authority if they are to begin rebuilding their season after their FA Cup humiliation at Burscough.

The Gills’ defensive frailties against non-league opposition has given Cooper cause for concern ahead of Saturday's trip to Walsall in Coca-Cola League 1, made worse by the absence of Ian Cox on international duty with Trinidad.

Cooper said: "Up until the last two games the back four has looked pretty solid.

"We need better from Hopey (Chris Hope) and last week Coxy, the two of them admitted they were very poor. Wallis has come in, another young player, but he himself admitted he didn’t do well last week.

"Prior to the last couple of games it looked a good shape and then it fell apart a bit so that has to be worked on."

Cooper hoped a meeting with his players on Monday and made everyone aware of what will be needed at the Bescot Stadium.

"There were a lot of things said in the meeting, the players were very apologetic, but they’ve got to rectify that on the park," said Cooper.

"It’s all right saying it but it’s doing it that’s the big thing and they have to start doing that now.

"It’s time for action now. We can train them as much as we want all week but once they cross that white line they’ve got to be mentally and physically strong."

* FOR ALL THE LATEST GILLS NEWS AND A FULL PREVIEW AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND'S BIG MATCH SEE THE SPORTS SUPPLEMENT, FREE WITH THIS WEEK'S KENT MESSENGER AND MEDWAY MESSENGER.* KENT ONLINE BRINGS YOU ALL THE CONFIRMED GILLS TEAM NEWS AHEAD OF KICK-OFF, A HALF-TIME UPDATE AND A FULL-TIME MATCH REPORT, PLUS REPORTS AND RESULTS FROM ALL THE OTHER GAMES INVOLVING THE COUNTY'S MAJOR SIDES, ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS .