Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth is excited to get the new season under way but is urging perspective ahead of Saturday’s trip to Accrington.
While recognising the buzz around opening day, Ainsworth is keen to stress that the campaign is a marathon, not a sprint.
“This game doesn't define your season,” he said, ahead of their League 2 opener.
“To get off to a good start would be great but it's not everything.
“It'll be a great barometer for everybody, every club. Believe me, this game doesn't sort your season out, without a doubt.
“It can sometimes give kicks up the backside or sometimes let you know that you've done the right things, or whatever it is.
“It's not the be-all and end-all. That's the opening game. Do not go crazy on this one. Process, process.
“I know this club went off to a flyer last season and ended 17th in the league. I don't think anyone would have seen that coming after the first few games.”
Gillingham beat Carlisle United 4-1 on the opening day of last season and remained unbeaten until the start of October, when it all started to go wrong.
The Gills won an opening-day fixture at Accrington in 2018 and have lost their first game of the season only twice in the last 10 years.
A decade ago they got off to a great start, beating promotion-favourites Sheffield United 4-0. Bradley Dack was among the goals that day.
Ainsworth’s experienced enough to know the first day can bring surprises—and doesn’t want Gills to be among them.
He said: “There will be some big upsets on the opening day, and we don't want to be one of those. I've been on the end of that and that's not nice.
“It is a barometer of where you are right now but it's not a be-all and end-all game of the season.”
He added: “The opening game has a
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