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Boss Steve Lovell urges caution despite Gillingham's impressive start to the League 1 season

Manager Steve Lovell isn’t going to get carried away with Gillingham’s winning start.

The Gills backed up a 2-0 win at Accrington on the opening weekend with a 3-1 home victory against Burton Albion at the Medway Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.

Lovell is making no predictions about what his team can achieve this season, saying: “You can’t predict anything, you can’t say anything, it’s two games in.

Gills boss Steve Lovell watches on during Saturday's win over Burton Picture: Ady Kerry
Gills boss Steve Lovell watches on during Saturday's win over Burton Picture: Ady Kerry

“I’m happy that we have the six points, I would have taken that two weeks ago, but all we can do now is keep it going.

“It’s a good start but it’s only a start. We have another 44 games to go. It is a pleasing start but I am not getting carried away with it.

“The boys have worked hard in the two games and now we go to Millwall for a different challenge, but we look forward to it.

"Winning becomes a great habit and gives everyone a boost. Everyone will be happy Monday and we will go on from there.”

Lovell must now decide whether to stick or twist for Tuesday’s match at Championship side Millwall, in the first round of the League Cup.

“We will have to look and see who has pulled up,” he said.

“The pitch was quite heavy because of the rain we had on Friday, it caused a few problems with muscles. You can’t help the weather but we managed it well.

“We will see what the best way is to go. Dean (Parrett) has overstretched his hamstring and I think we caught it before it went so hopefully it won’t be too long. It’s disappointing because he has had a good start.

“Although Dean got injured I have Callum Reilly coming back from injury, I have Conor WIlkinson, Elliott List and Alex Lacey who was on the bench. I have Barry Fuller and Nav Nasseri. They will all have a part to play.

“When people do have niggles you can play other people and have a look and see how they cope. We have a decent squad at the moment and everybody is working hard.

“Whoever comes in will put on a shift and will understand what we are trying to do, they will enjoy going out and playing for us.

"A cup can distract you, but not for us, we will just look to go on and put on a performance again.”

Lovell played close to 150 games for Millwall during his playing days and he’ll be looking forward to the midweek challenge as much as anyone.

He said: “They have had a great few years and I am looking forward to going back to my old club.

"We don’t know much about the Championship teams but we do know they will be hard working and they will have a go. It will be a great challenge for us.”

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