Gillingham manager Martin Allen's change of pre-match routine pays dividends
by Luke Cawdell
Gillingham boss Martin Allen changed his pre-match routine
on Saturday to help lift the players before their match against
Plymouth.
Instead of watching from afar, he led the warm-up session out on
the pitch.
Allen, pictured, said: “The players needed help, they
needed guidance and support. I normally lay on my sofa in the
office with Monty (the dog) and just totally chill before the
games. I don’t do anything."
But after a home defeat in their previous game against
Oxford was followed by vocal criticism from the
Priestfield support, Allen felt his presence was needed.
He said: “We all took a lot of criticism. It was lead from the
front and get out there, in front of those supporters. Show the
players there is no fear.”
Allen conducted a lively session and he said: “We did have fun,
we had a few laughs and I tried to relax them and keep them
calm.
“In the gym we did some of my yoga exercises and we played with
calmness, good decision making, with skill and good quality and
then when the times came we were tenacious.
“It is no detriment to James Russell or John Schofield and Carl
Muggleton. What they do is fantastic, but I felt the players needed
a little more help and I wanted to be with them.”
11/03/13
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