I have to say I was very peeved at our fans writing off our chances when we were 10 points adrift. It was "over" and we had "no chance" of escaping yet we know full well there is often one side which makes a late push. With sides around us with worse form, there was no reason to think they would be the ones to do it and many would be taking points off of each other. We were shipping goals and not scoring so the signs were ominous but we were far from dead and buried.
Harris came in and the form turned. Sitting on 19 points from the 28 games, he has won 18 points from 12 games in charge. Over those 12 games, the Gills are the 11th best side in the division thanks to a defensive system change. The 4 worst sides over that period are Fleetwood, Morecambe, AFC Wimbledon and Crewe with a combined total of 18 points between them from the 48 games between them. Only bottom side Crewe have managed a solitary win between them.
The Gills face two crucial matches next. First, they travel to Sunderland on Saturday whilst Crewe will host Fleetwood. The sides below us with a game in hand then play on Tuesday with Wimbledon, Fleetwood and Morecambe facing home ties against Charlton, Lincoln and Oxford respectively. Crewe visit MK Dons. Then the Gills face Wycombe at Priestfield whilst Doncaster play Crewe. AFC Wimbledon are at home to arch enemies MK Dons and will have a new manager to galvanise them.
Oliver and Kelman are forging a good partnership and will be vital to get the decisive points. Can we do it?