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Gillingham head to Swindon Town with the play-offs still in sight and striker Vadaine Oliver isn't giving it up

Gillingham striker Vadaine Oliver isn’t going to give up on the chance of reaching the play-offs while it remains a possibility.

The Gills had a setback on Tuesday with defeat at Fleetwood but head to Swindon Town tomorrow (Saturday) with the top six places still within their grasp.

Gillingham forward Vadaine Oliver is remaining positive despite a midweek setback Picture: Barry Goodwin
Gillingham forward Vadaine Oliver is remaining positive despite a midweek setback Picture: Barry Goodwin

Every defeat makes that task tougher but Oliver is determined to make the most of their opportunity.

“We are not down and out,” said the 12-goal striker.

“Defeat hasn’t put an end to it. For us, it is not just about a reaction because of that loss (against Fleetwood), we still have a chance here, let’s go at it.

“Thankfully we haven’t lost out on our opportunity to go on and achieve something and be in and around that pack. It does add a bit more pressure on this game coming up but every game from now until the end of the season is a pressure game if we want to achieve something.

“Every game is now a cup final in my eyes. We really have to give it everything. We have a real opportunity to muster up a charge. Hopefully we can do it.

"I will be there until the end and until there is no longer an opportunity for us I will give it everything. That is the same throughout the team. We'll just keep going."

Oliver was vocal in the team meeting they had this week, reminding the younger players that they don’t want to waste an opportunity. There remains plenty of determination within the squad to challenge for those top six places.

He said: “There is a driving force in the team and we know what we want to aim for, we are not far off it and we are more than capable.

“We have shown we can beat anyone in this league, why not have that push, that drive and that enthusiasm to think, ‘yes we can go on and achieve this'.

“These moments are what you look back on and it is about trying to get that point across to the boys. We are in touching distance, let’s have a go at it, let’s give everything.

“It is football, it is not a given that if we have a go it will happen for us, but the one thing I don’t want to do is think we didn’t give it everything.”

Opponents Swindon Town are currently in the League 1 relegation places but that doesn’t mean it will be any easier.

“We can’t go into the game light-hearted,” the striker said.

“Just because they are down there we know it’s not a given, they are even more dangerous because they have something to fight for.

“If we are to achieve something this year these are the games we need to be switched on at.”

Read more on the Gills

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