Gillingham defender Conor Masterson on embracing a new way of playing under head coach Stephen Clemence

Gillingham’s players are embracing the new order under head coach Stephen Clemence.

Defender Conor Masterson has spoken of his excitement following the recent appointment of Clemence and the way he wants to play. The Gills are hoping for a more stylish approach to their football.

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It’s been a mixed bag so far on the pitch, with defeat at the weekend, but Clemence acknowledged from the outset that there was no overnight fix.

But his approach has been welcomed.

“It’s a different style of football that we’ve been used to and it’s exciting,” said centre-back Masterson.

“I think everyone is embracing it.

“The Gaffer wants to play it on the floor and we played a game the other day in training where you couldn’t hit it over head height.

“We have a lot of talented players in our team and he wants us to go out there and express ourselves.”

The change of approach shouldn’t be too hard for Masterson, having learned the art of defending at Liverpool and QPR, encouraged to play the ball out from the back.

He said: “The past clubs I have been at we have tried to play football, I kind of know what’s expected from the Gaffer so it’s good for me, I am looking forward to it.

“I think it is going to push on the players that we have.

“He does want me to use the ball more, he wants me to step into midfield and pass the ball, he has told me ‘I want you to play, I will never stop you from playing’.”

Masterson faced the press on the day Neil Harris was sacked and it was tough for him. He was quite clearly upset to see the man who took him to the Gills unexpectedly depart, but football moves on quickly.

The defender is now glad to have a new man in place, admitting the interim period was a