Neil Harris wasted no time in turning his attention to Gillingham’s next challenge. The manager celebrated with 1,300 away fans after Gills continued their perfect start to the League 2 campaign with a 1-0 midweek success at Sutton.
But the moment was soon gone, with Harris immediately thinking about their trip to Crawley tomorrow (3pm). It’s an early-season top-of-the-table clash with Gillingham leading the way and the Reds third with seven points from nine.
Harris, speaking shortly after full-time on Tuesday night, said: “I’m done with celebrating. “I watched Crawley last night and I watched Crawley this morning and I’ll probably be watching Crawley when I get home tonight as well, but that’s my job and I’m loving it and the boys are responding. “We’ve got a real good feelgood factor about the place and let’s just keep doing it. “I’m saying to the boys, it’s about their preparation for Saturday, and when I get in Thursday morning I need to wow them with my knowledge of Crawley already because that’s my job and I need them to buy into the gameplan.” Crawley were tipped to struggle but have made a bright start under former Gills player and ex-Chatham boss Scott Lindsey.
Harris prepared his side for a physical battle at Sutton but knows Crawley will be a different proposition. Lindsey is a big advocate of possession-based football - just ask Chatham fans - and has retained those principles since moving into Football League management. “Every game brings a different challenge,” said Harris. “Scott Lindsey’s teams like to pass the ball and play with real good patterns and it’s going to be a completely different set-up for us.” Strikers Tom Nichols and Tuesday night’s matchwinner Ashley Nadesan could face their former club