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New Gillingham manager Martin Allen quick to put his own mark on the way things are run

Martin Allen
Martin Allen

By Andrew Gidley

Martin Allen has wasted little time in putting his mark on life at Priestfield.

The newly-installed Gillingham boss has already introduced new training times for the players and management while the squad face two sessions daily on Monday and Tuesday before leaving for a four-day break in Le Touquet on Thursday.

The players were also in on Saturday, with Allen (picured) leaving things initially to his assistant John Schofield and new strength and conditioning coach James Russell, while he concentrates on adding to his squad.

Youth team physio James Barker has been promoted to the first team, while Mark Patterson stays on his role as development coach and Allen is also planning to bring in a goalkeeping coach.

He said: "I had a nice chat with the players when I came in last Thursday, and then they all went training which was probably a little bit of a shock to them.

"They now have to be at the ground by 9.45am, the injured players 45 minutes earlier and the young scholars at 8.30am, which is when my staff have to be in as well.

"They are just minor changes, but they will be a small test for them, and we’ll see who adheres to the game-plan.

"From me they will get honesty, care, wanting them to improve, and enjoy coming to work every day. If they do that and are happy, they will be better people and better players.

"The trip to France will be a great opportunity, we are going in mini-buses, which will be great fun, lads on tour stuff, and all the plans are in place for the next five weeks."

Is Martin Allen setting the right tone for the players? Have your say below.

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