Gillingham’s Jack Nolan enjoys playing central role as manager Mark Bonner looks to end six-game run without a league win

Jack Nolan is relishing the chance to play in a more central role as Gillingham look to find a winning formula.

The Gills featured a back three for the second successive match on Saturday when they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackpool.

Nolan has featured mainly as a wideman since joining the Gills in the close season from Accrington.

“I played in that 10 role at the top of the diamond,” explained Nolan after he returned to the starting XI at the weekend.

“I’ve played there before and it’s a role I like to play if I’m playing in that system rather than playing wing-back.

“I got a lot more of the ball which was great and trying to make things happen. We played better football with more bodies in the middle of the park.

“We’ve played that the last two games, we’ve got to be flexible. We might start off with that and go back to a 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, whatever that may be.

“We’ve got to try and not lose our principles in terms of playing football and trying to connect the game. I enjoyed it being in there.”

Nolan certainly got a few sights of goal against Blackpool, although he was particularly disappointed with his first attempt at goal which swerved wide of the far post.

“I thought the first one I had in the first half that went wide, I could have done better with,” he reflected. “For me, it’s being in and around the box and latching onto things that are loose.

“Sometimes when you’re out wide you’ve got a bit more to do but playing that midfield role, you’re in the width of the 18-yard box and everyone wants to be as near to the goal as they can.

“I enjoyed it, I found some good pockets and it’s something to build on personally and as a collective as well.

“I’ve always been a natural wideman but coming in there adds more