SKIPPER Paul Smith says Gillingham's players will welcome the sanctuary of Highfield Road, Coventry, on Saturday after their midweek mauling by supporters. Fans turned on player-manager Andy Hessenthaler and his men, hurling abuse following Tuesday's disappointing 3-3 draw with bottom club Stockport.

The tirades continued after the match when some of the players visited Priestfield's Blues Rock Café. Life-long Gillingham fan and season ticket holder Andrew Mills was so incensed by the outburst he admitted feeling ashamed to be a club supporter.

Smith admitted: "I think it's fair to say that a lot of the lads are glad we're playing away on Saturday. We didn't play well on Tuesday, and nobody is pretending otherwise, but I don't think we deserved that.

"After all, a week earlier we had gone to Preston, produced a real professional performance and won 2-0. Some people have short memories. We played a lot worse at Barnsley just before Christmas when the fans stayed behind in freezing conditions to clap us off.

"You need your supporters because players feed off the atmosphere they create. I can't state that strongly enough."

Smith believes that too many home supporters have been carried away by talk of reaching the play-offs and possible promotion to the Premier League. So when the side lose, there is an over-reaction.

"The Gaffer said from day one, that survival was the priority and nothing has changed. Once we reach 50 points we'll go on from there and see what happens.

"I think it was a vocal minority that had a go on Tuesday, " he added. "But we've broad shoulders and can take it, though I felt sorry for some of the younger players.

"Away from home we meet what I would call the true Gillingham supporters. Those who are there waiting when he arrive and when we leave. It's always good to see them and the support they give has been fantastic.

"That's one reason why we like playing away. The other are the pitches, which the Gaffer mentioned last week.

"We can get our passing game going, as we did at Preston, but the Priestfield pitch right now is very heavy.

"Hopefully the pitch problems can be sorted out soon."

Hessenthaler is set to respond to Tuesday's disappointment by making changes against Coventry.

Transfer-listed Mark Patterson could replace Nyron Nosworthy at right-back and Ty Gooden may return to midfield as replacement for the out of sorts Marcus Browning.

Highfield Road has happy memories for Gillingham who created history on their previous visit on November 13, 1996 when they beat Coventry 1-0 in the Coca Cola Cup to claim their first Premiership scalp in front of 3,500 of their disbelieving supporters.

Of that night's team, Hessenthaler, Guy Butters and Iffy Onuora will be in Saturday's squad.

Gillingham assistant manager Richard Hill is being linked with a reunion with new Derby manager John Gregory at Pride Park.

Hill was Gregory's assistant at Wycombe before moving to Aston Villa. Now Gregory is looking for a new back-room team at Derby and may call on Hill whose contract is up in three months.