Manager Gareth Ainsworth challenges Gillingham players to fight and scrap ahead of League Two games against Walsall and Accrington Stanley

Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has challenged his players to match his own intensity on the pitch.

The Gills begin their Easter weekend with a game at play-off-chasing Walsall today (Friday) before heading back to Priestfield to face Accrington Stanley on Monday.

Ainsworth’s League Two side have lost their last five games and the manager’s focus is getting players out on the pitch that are fully committed to turning things around.

He said: “I want to see people who are going to dig deep, people who are going to raise their standards and find a way, because there's no giving up in me, ever.

“I wish I could be out there with them because I know I'd scrap and give every last bit of blood, sweat and tears to get the result. I need players like that.

“I want people to get to my standard. I need to drag them to my standard of defending, attacking and playing. I'll do all I can to make that happen.

“It hasn't been good enough and I totally understand how the reaction of fans sometimes can be. It’s a tough one to take.

“You've got to improve your everything. That's what I'm here to do. Whether that's in the building, or whether it has to be brought in from outside the building, I'll do it.

“When everyone is fit and I can pick my first 11, we’re more than good enough. But when we rely on squad depth, a few players need to look at themselves. I also need to see who’s ready to fight and scrap.

“I know where my standards are. I am totally fine with fronting anything up and anyone who wants to say anything to me, I give my absolute all, give my best.

“I need the players to get to their best – probably better than they've ever been in their careers because the level of this division is quite high. The teams we're coming up