More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Teenage centre-back Elkan Baggott is enjoying being allowed to play out from the back at Gillingham.
Baggott, on a season-long loan deal from League 1 Ipswich, has so far played every minute of the Gills’ first six competitive games of the campaign.
Gillingham boss Neil Harris has not been afraid of letting his defensive players take risks with the ball and that’s something which has suited 19-year-old Baggott’s style of play.
“I would probably describe myself as a ball-playing centre-half. Obviously being exposed to it quite a lot at Ipswich, we try and build out from the back,” he said.
“So coming here and trying to play out as well suits my game.”
After back-to-back defeats, Gillingham switched to a back five at Priestfield as they drew 0-0 with Walsall, Baggott being partnered by Max Ehmer and Will Wright in the heart of the defence.
“Personally, Ipswich play five at the back so I have been exposed to it,” said Baggott.
“We played it in the cup the other day at AFC Wimbledon [winning 2-0 in the Carabao Cup] so the boys have been used to it.
“Saturday, it worked in our favour and all we want to do [as defenders] was keep a clean sheet and we did.”
Baggott has also enjoyed learning alongside Ehmer, saying: “Obviously Max is a very experienced player.
“He's so good in the dressing room to have around and I learn a lot, playing next to an experienced player. So playing with Max is great.”
Behind them has been experienced goalkeeper Glenn Morris whose displays in defeats against Tranmere and Harrogate could not really be knocked, with the 38-year-old then making a fine save late on as Walsall nearly snatched the victory at Priestfield.
Baggott said: “Just having him behind you is like a safety net. Any shot that is going to be hit at our goal, in our heads, we are thinking ‘Cat’s going to save it’.
“Again, you saw in the last minute there, he saved us getting a point. What a keeper to have behind!”
The big defender has had a far from usual career trajectory to date. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, he represents his mother's country of Indonesia.
“I played three games for the under-19s but, since then, I have played for the first-team,” he explained. “I have played 10 games.”
He also told of how his Asian background had helped him to look up to a former England centre-back.
Baggott said: “Because I grew up in Asia, a heavy fan-base is following Manchester United so Rio Ferdinand was definitely one of the players I used to look up to.”
He had mixed emotions following the Gills’ goalless draw with the Saddlers, both teams coming close to scoring a winner in a frantic finish to the contest.
Baggott said: “Obviously our job as defenders is to keep the ball out the net. This season so far, we have been leaking too many goals.
“So I think the change of shape helped us but, obviously from our point of view, we also want to win the game, and we are disappointed with a draw.
“But it’s a game that we can build on.”
But Harris’ side have only scored three competitive goals but Baggott expects the team’s attacking players to come good as their new-look squad continue to gel together.
“We did have enough chances to score," said Baggott who believes the Gills can make the play-offs this term.
"So, of course, that’s our frustration - we want to score and we want to win games and, obviously, we didn’t score on Saturday - but the strikers are working hard every day in training and the penny will drop."
Michael Flynn’s team were a physical one and Baggott added: “A couple of the boys were saying in the changing room that’s the hardest game we have had.
“Physically, we are all shattered. At the start of the season to do Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday is quite demanding.
“We are tired but also disappointed, obviously, we didn’t win the game.”
Baggott has only been with Gillingham for just over a month but is enjoying life in Kent, saying: “I absolutely love it to be fair.
“I just have got a flat down here now as well so I call myself a local. Life down here is really good.”
Next up for the Gills’ is a Carabao Cup clash with League 1 Exeter in the second round at Priestfield on Tuesday.
The Grecians won their first-round tie at Cheltenham 7-0 and Baggott admitted: “It could be a busy night.
“Our objective is to win the game so we’ll try to keep another clean sheet to give the team a foundation to build on. Our objective is to win the game and go through.”
