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Gillingham keeper Jake Turner is putting team glory ahead of personal pride this season.
The Gills have already recorded two clean sheets in their first three League 2 matches, and sit top of the early table.
While Turner takes pride in “doing my job”, his main focus is winning games and he’s happy to concede if it means the team are banking three points each week.
“I want to win every game,” stressed Turner. “I’d rather win every game 2-1 or 3-1 than draw every game 0-0.
“Obviously, you want the clean sheets but most importantly we want three points. We’ll take the clean sheet and point from Saturday.
“That’s the job, not letting goals in, but I’d much rather win the game and by doing that we try to keep clean sheets as well.”
Turner didn’t have to make a large number of saves in last Saturday’s goalless draw at Fleetwood Town.
It was a solid defensive display from those ahead of him, most notably Shad Ogie, that ensured a relatively quiet afternoon.
“They came down last year and you could tell they are a very good team, they kept the ball well,” said Turner.
“Conditions were tough for both teams, it was windy in the first half and hard for us to get out of our third. But we’ll take a point on the road after a long couple of weeks.
“The defenders were excellent from start to finish, they are most weeks but not all weeks! They blocked lots of shots, Shad was excellent, they play a lot of cutbacks and he managed to be in that position most of the time. He was always in the right place at the right time.
“From front to back, it was a good clean sheet.
“I thought I could have kicked a bit better considering the wind, it was tough to play against it. We managed to get in at half-time at 0-0 and saw it out, we wanted to score a few goals [second half] but it wasn’t to be.
“I don’t think a lot of teams will come here and take a point. We’re happy with a point, we wanted all three but we can’t grumble at one.”
There were more than 400 Gillingham supporters making the trip with their numbers swelled by members of Turner’s family.
The Wilmslow-born keeper was cheered on by his father, brother and grandad.
“The away support has been excellent, 400-plus at both games and it’s not around the corner,” said Turner.
“My dad’s come to the last two games with one of his mates, my grandad was here and my brother. I went home with them on Saturday and spent some time with them. It’s always nice to see the family.
“It must be nice for them [to see me keep a clean sheet] as well, it’s my job at the end of the day.
“I didn’t have much to do, maybe a few punches, but the lads defended excellently. It’s always good to get a clean sheet as a goalie.”
Boss Mark Bonner has spoken about the time the squad have spent on the coach in the first fortnight of the campaign.
Long trips to Morecambe and Fleetwood were preceded by a Carabao Cup tie in Swansea.
Turner might not get through the same distances on the pitch as an outfield player, but it still has an impact on the keeper.
“It affects us all similarly, to be fair,” he said. “Obviously, they have to run a lot more but it’s more the mental side.
“I know you’re just sitting there not doing much but it does tire us out. We got here a bit quicker than Morecambe but it takes a lot out of the legs. We walk around the coach when we can, play cards or computer games and try to keep entertained.”