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Gillingham defender Conor Masterson is determined to help put things right this week when they head to Bromley for a midweek League 2 clash.
The Gills haven’t played since giving up a 1-0 lead against Harrogate Town at Priestfield last Saturday and losing the match 2-1. They start the week 11th in the table and will be keen to get the season back on track.
Looking ahead to Bromley this Wednesday night, Masterson said: “It will be a tough game, it's a bit of a derby, and we want to put things right.
“It was a tough one to take last Saturday for everybody involved. For us in the dressing room, we’re hurting a lot.
“We know we've enough talent to put things right. We've done it before at the start of the season so we want to do it again and that's what we're going to aim for.
“I’m raring to go and I just want to put things right and show the fans that for us as players, it means a lot to us to play for Gillingham.
“We've had meetings, defenders, midfielders, forwards, where we can improve, where we can develop. We all care and we want to put things right because there's a lot of talented players in this group.”
The Gills were booed off the pitch last time out with some supporters chanting “What a load of rubbish.” Fans were frustrated and players were too, with some criticised for showing it.
Masterson said: “I'll be honest, personally I was very frustrated because it's a game we should have won. We were 1-0 up with half an hour to go or whatever it was. I don't know how many 1-0 wins we've had before so usually we can see it out. It was a tough one to take.
“I think for the first 60 minutes we were fine. We were good, got the goal, we were in control and then I just don't know what happened if I'm honest. There's a host of things that you could say but all we can do now is focus on Bromley.
“Everybody cares about Gillingham Football Club and we want to do well. We were hurting right at the end so emotions run high and we just want to put things right.”
The Gills manager is keen to get the team to change their mentality when going ahead, pushing for more rather than settling for a 1-0 win.
In a week without a game, there’s been plenty of time to analyse and focus on what’s ahead.
Masterson admits there were things they could have done differently against Harrogate.
He said: “I think we probably sat back when we should have kept going and going for another goal. In the game it didn't feel like that.
“It felt like Harrogate came straight on to us. We just had a few sloppy moments and we couldn't just get out of our half.
“When you look back you just think maybe if we'd done things differently what would have happened. Of course, hindsight is a great thing but it is hindsight. We just have to keep working hard.”
League 2 table
With no weekend game, it’s meant the talk hasn’t shifted away from that Harrogate defeat as much as they would have liked. But with a game ahead against near neighbours Bromley, there’s plenty to look forward to.
Gillingham have sold all 515 away tickets for the game and at a tight ground, Hayes Lane is sure to provide an ideal setting for derby encounter.
Masterson said: “We need to be ready for it and we need to put things right.
“I like feeling the passion from the fans if I'm honest. It gets me going. I don't know about other players but it definitely gets me going. I relish in them sort of environments so I'm looking forward to it.
“I know people can say this and that but we all care and we want to do well for Gillingham and that's how we feel. We're going to try and make things better and we're going to keep improving and keep working hard to make sure we end this season strong.”
