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Benno's Beat: Gillingham midfielder Mark Bentley writes exclusively for the KM Group

By: KentOnline reporter multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 08:00, 05 November 2010

Mark Bentley in action against Port Vale

It's been a disappointing week with the two defeats and again we’re looking down at the wrong end of the table.

A break away from the league on Saturday with an FA Cup first round game against non-league Dover has probably come at the right time.

It’s a game we certainly can’t take for granted and we must make sure we don’t underestimate them.

The game has been built up a lot, in regards to the saga in the summer, so the atmosphere will be tasty.

mpu1

I have been involved in many first round games and been at non-league clubs playing against league opposition with the extra determination that goes through you to try to claim a scalp.

Yes, it’s a tricky tie but we will be ready in making sure they don’t enjoy their day too much.

Last weekend against Northampton we put ourselves in a great position with the start we had.

Chris Palmer scored a great goal from a set-piece that we have worked hard on in training.

After totally dominating the first 20 minutes, we shot ourselves in the foot once again after allowing them to get back into the game with a free header.

Minutes later, another penalty decision has gone against us.

mpu2

In the area there is always pushing and shoving going on, more so with the attacking team trying to gain an advantage. I had a clear view of the incident and it looked like Matt (Lawrence) and their lad had hold of each other and as the player turned, he seemed to fall down easily, especially after the ball that was played in was always going way over his head.

Even at 2-1 down we should have been confident that we could turn it around but, although we had plenty of possession in the second half, we never really threatened them.

We let ourselves down and also the supporters who again turned up in great numbers.

After a defeat it’s sometimes good to have a game a few days later in order to put things right.

Unfortunately, it was another disappointment against a Wycombe side who seem full of confidence at the moment.

We created a few half chances but we were undone by a couple of good counter-attack goals.

That is the difference at the moment from a team stringing together a run of consistent results, to us who just can’t get a real run of results together.

Obviously, confidence is going to be at a low at the moment but I still believe we are just back-to-back wins away from going in the right direction.

I urge the supporters to stick with us. Yes, by all means voice your opinions and frustrations, as you pay good money to watch, but we need to stay positive and there is no better atmosphere at this level than at Priestfield when the fans are on song.

I speak for every player about the lift that gives us. I also understand that must start from us as players creating that atmosphere with our performance on the pitch, something that we will be working hard to achieve.

A couple of positive things to come out this week, the first seeing Simon King in with the squad.

It’s been a long time so it’s fantastic for everybody to see him back. It’s still going to take a while for him to get a good level of fitness, so the next few weeks will be important for him.

On Tuesday we saw young Ashley Miller make his debut and I thought he did well.

He has been the talk of the training ground over the last couple of weeks and, along with Daren Hawkes, he looks to have a bright future.

He certainly wasn’t fazed when he came on against Wycombe and got on the ball a few times and also put his foot in when needed.

I won’t be surprised to see him going the same way as players like Luke Freeman and Matty Jarvis if he keeps level-headed and is prepared to put in the work.

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