Gillingham Midfielder Alex MacDonald believes that if the Kent side can keep up their recent upturn in League Two form, then there is no reason why the squad can’t aim for promotion next year, according to Kent Online.
The Gills have seen something of an upturn in fortune since the turn of the year, and it has seen their relegation worries all but disappear. Manager Neil Harris will be looking to change a few things around in the coming off-season, but MacDonald believes that if the Priestfield side can gather some momentum now, only minimal changes will be necessary.
The Gills currently sit in 19th place in the league, nine points off the relegation places. Although they are not yet mathematically safe, the Gills can hope that if this upturn in form keeps up, they can cast an eye to next term, and build on these playoff ambitions.
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Having signed the midfielder on a free transfer from Mansfield Town in August 2020, the Gills will be looking to the likes of MacDonald to keep their resurgence alive as they look to put as much space between them and the League Two relegation zone.
Alex MacDonald has been named in every match day squad for the Gills this term, with the exception of their recent fixture against Bradford City – where only a chest infection kept him sidelined.
The Gills have looked to MacDonald to provide that trademark teasing ball into the box many times this season to great effect, as the Scotsman has turned provider on no less than five occasions since January.
Speaking to KentOnline, MacDonald said: “When I first went to Oxford, they were in a similar position, it was about staying away from the relegation zone and trying to prepare for next season.
“We took a massive amount of momentum into the next season and it catapulted us into the next season without having to make too many changes with players.”
“It is something I have been drilling into the players, trying to make sure it is not just about staying safe, but making a big push at the end of the season to take into next season.”
Speaking further about missing his most recent match, he stated, “It hurt me, missing out on that one. I was desperate not to but I couldn’t get out of bed.
“I was just coughing up, it was terrible. I’ve missed one game but after the hell I had last year, if I had been told at the start of this season that I’d only be missing one game, I’d have snapped your hand off.”
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Writers View
It is absolutely vital that Gillingham keep up this decent spell of form and continue to lessen the chances of being dragged back into that relegation battle.
Although Gills fans may see it as something of a stretch to suggest that they could be in the promotion mix next season, sticking with experienced heads such as MacDonald and manager Neil Harris can only be a good thing as they look to make the tweaks necessary for it to become reality.
