Gillingham manager John Coleman admits he is not looking forward to his return to Accrington Stanley this Saturday, as his side prepares for a crucial League Two clash.
While Coleman acknowledges the emotional significance of revisiting a club where he managed over 1,000 games and secured four championship promotions, he is determined to keep the focus on securing a vital win for the Gills.
Focused on the Task at Hand
With both Gillingham and Accrington still needing points to mathematically ensure survival, Coleman is eager to ensure that sentiment does not distract from the job at hand.
“It will be (emotional), to be honest, I’m not going to lie about that. I’m not looking forward to it because I think it can take the focus off the game. I don’t want the focus to be taken off the game.”
Alongside assistant manager Jimmy Bell, Coleman led Accrington through a remarkable period in their history. However, he was dismissed from his role a year ago while the club was 16th in the division.
Fond Memories but No Contact with Accrington Chairman
Despite his departure, Coleman remains appreciative of the work done behind the scenes at the club, including the impact of current chairman Andy Holt.
“The new chairman has come in and took it to another level, Andy Holt. He’s got the infrastructure of the club right. He spent wisely with the players that we sold, with the ground (improvements) and the pitch, which is remarkable.”
However, Coleman revealed that he has not spoken to Holt since leaving the club.
“No, I haven’t spoken to Andy Holt. People will ask me about losing my job. I’ve got no problem with that. Someone who puts a lot of money into a football club deserves the right to make the decisions that he has to make.”
Securing Gillingham’s First Away Win Under Coleman
Coleman’s main priority is delivering a win for Gillingham, particularly as the team seeks its first away victory under his management. He is determined to reward the club’s travelling supporters, who have continued to back the side despite their struggles.
“We’ve got to get our players as up for it as we can and to get the away win that our travelling fans deserve. There’s no-one who deserves it more than them with the numbers that they bring.”
With the stakes high for both teams, Saturday’s fixture at Accrington promises to be an intense battle – and for Coleman, a deeply personal one.
Writer’s View
Coleman’s return to Accrington will undoubtedly be a moment of reflection, but his main challenge is ensuring that nostalgia does not impact Gillingham’s performance. With survival still not guaranteed, securing points must be the priority.
