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Aiden O’Brien’s first start for Gillingham last Saturday was a positive one - and there’s more to come.
The former Millwall, Sunderland and Portsmouth striker is looking to get back to top form with the Gills after a first half of the season at Shrewsbury blighted by injury.
Following three appearances off the bench, he replaced Tom Nichols in the Gills starting line-up at Rochdale and didn’t disappoint.
Manager Neil Harris worked with the front-man at Millwall and knows just what he can do.
He said: “[The fans] would have seen his quality without the ball, where he is excellent at pressing, and with the ball he didn’t give it away in 65 minutes (before being replaced by Nichols). That is what he does.
“What they didn’t see is the forward running. A couple of times he got off the big man (Oli Hawkins) but didn’t quite have that moment at the end and that is just half a yard, half a yard fitness and that will come. People are still only seeing an 80% Aiden O’Brien. They will be excited to know there is a lot more to come from him.
“I went with Aiden (on Saturday) because I thought the distance Nico had covered in three games around Hawks had been immense. I just didn’t want to take that risk of pushing him again, so I left him out for legs purposes and was delighted with how good he was when he came on.
“When you have got options it is great to be able to do that.”
It was a goal from George Lapslie that sealed last week's 2-0 win at Rochdale - his second in two starts for the former Mansfield midfielder.
Harris said: “George had to be patient, we had 10 points from four games when he came in and he had to wait, he has scored two in two, important goals as well and I am really pleased with him.
“We adjusted his position and I thought he was excellent, just looking at the squad and players, whatever I ask of them to do, adjust formation or tinker with a system, because they are good players, and we have got experience as well, they understand it.
“George played tucked in a 4-4-2 shape and he did that under Lee Bowyer at Charlton and so he knew the movements, when to go into the box, when to run off the big man, when to go wide, he has got that habit but we think George has got it, Aiden has got it, Tom Nichols has got it, Tim Dieng has, they have the ability to run off the big man.
“Dom Jefferies, he scored a good goal for us (against Hartlepool) but I would like to see a little more action at the top end of the pitch. That will come with time, we feel we have the right personnel and it is making sure I pick the right system with them in it.”
