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We have to move on, admits Gills midfielder Josh Rees.
The 25-year-old was a second-half substitute on Saturday in the home loss to Charlton.
Defeat came hot on the heels of the sacking of boss Steve Lovell.
It was Lovell that plucked Rees from non-league and gave him an opportunity back in the Football League and, although grateful, he knows there is little time for sentiment in football.
The former Bromley midfielder said: “I had a good relationship with the manager, he brought me to the club, he has given me a chance at this level.
“He has worked with me all season and I feel I have got better under him as a player.
“I have a great relationship with him and I do genuinely wish him all the best in his future career.
“It is disappointing (that he has gone) but at the end of the day it’s football and it is what it is. You have to get used to it, it’s the way it is. We’re professional and you have to take it on the chin.
“You move on and whoever comes in next is who you have to play for and who you have to impress, that is how it is.
“It is harsh, you want to build relationships over a long period of time, but I am not going to dwell on it, I am contracted to Gillingham Football Club and I have to do my best for the club.”
Rees was quick to message Lovell upon finding out of his sacking on Friday, but come Saturday he carried on like normal.
He said: “We are professionals and it is what it is. You focus on your own game and the team was the team, nothing changed there.
"Preparation was the same and Patto (Lovell’s assistant Mark Patterson, now in temporary charge) has been a familiar face all season.
“Nothing really changed and there was no excuse on that part.”
The Gills lost the game 2-0 but Rees admitted ruthless Charlton were just too good for them.
He said: “We came up against a side who were more clinical.
“There wasn’t much in it to begin with but you are up against a team who are there for a reason, they have quality in the final third and they proved that.
“They had two real clear-cut chances and scored, and at half-time we’re on the backfoot at 2-0.
“We gave it a go but it was the final ball, or something, and that is the difference between the top teams in the final third – they were ruthless.
“They are a good team, with good players, and I wish them all the best in the play-offs. I think they will probably go and be the ones to watch.
"It was a tough game for the boys but we applied ourselves well.
“Between both boxes we gave it a good go, it was a feisty affair, a good derby game. It was just that final pass, final shot that wasn’t coming off.
"If we went off 1-0 at the break maybe it could have been a different game, but 2-0 killed the momentum.”
The Gills are safe from relegation now and travel to Blackpool for their final game this coming Saturday.
Rees said: “We have one more game, a chance for more points, and you always want to finish on a high, whatever you do.
“We want to put on a good performance at Blackpool. Away from home we have been pretty good, it is something to look forward to and we can hopefully give the fans something to cheer about.”
