Gillingham’s midfielder, is not ruling anything out as the club looks to make up lost ground.
The Gills return following a weekend off 10 points behind League 2 leaders Port Vale, whom they defeated last time out. There is a five-point margin between the automatic promotion places.
Gillingham travel to Priestfield this Saturday to face Harrogate Town, hoping to build on their recent victory.
“Until something is impossible, you keep believing,” Jonny Williams stated. “It’s a long season, and we’re a long way from the end.
“It feels like a pretty open league. You still have Carlisle at the bottom. They were expected to rise at the start of the year, and they’ve had a difficult start.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they turn things around and finish in the top half of the table, like Doncaster did last season.
“Some teams need a long time to gel, and Doncaster showed what a chaotic [division] League 2 is last year. Things can change really quickly.
Who knows what will happen? You can’t foresee this league; it’s insane.”
The Gills lost five consecutive league games last month, dropping from first place to mid-table. A draw against Swindon and a win over Port Vale have put them back on track. Promotion is the only goal this season.
“We need to make this place at Priestfield a fortress again,” Williams informed us.
“We were unbeaten here for a long time, and then we had a rough spell, but we got a terrific success against Port Vale at home, and the atmosphere was much better. We gave the fans something to cheer about.
“Even when we were losing games, the players maintained a strong belief. You look about, and we believe it is simply a matter of time before we do change this, because the performances weren’t terrible.
“There were still positives in some of the games we were losing, and we held onto that and worked with it.”It was also a slightly different formation. Teams had a tougher time predicting what we were going to do, and we were more flexible. We worked hard on things and it’s changed little, so we’ll see what happens. We don’t become a horrible team or world beaters overnight. We need to keep our feet on the ground and work hard.”
Williams has been involved in most league games this season from the bench, starting twice, but with five substitutions allowed in a game, there’s always that opportunity to have an impact.
“Everyone wants to start games, everyone wants to play 90 minutes,” he went on. “Unfortunately, you can’t always do that in football, so you have to be ready whenever you’re called upon to make a difference.”That, I believe, had a significant role in our winning streak. The influence of the substitutes was incredible; they were always coming on and making a difference, and I was thrilled to be a part of it and help the team win [against Port Vale].
“The manager likes to employ the five substitutes, so we all have to be ready to play that role, whether it’s 30 minutes, 20 minutes, 10 minutes, or five minutes.
“I would have wanted to have started more games this year, but there have been times in my career when I haven’t, so all I want to do is give my all when called upon.
“You want to be involved in a winning team, and if you’re doing well from the bench, you’ve got more chance of starting.”We have a large team, a skilled roster, and players returning from injury, so there will be a lot of competition for positions.
“You do your best in training, on the pitch, and support each other, whoever is picked, to ensure that everything is healthy and that we are one team.
“I believe that if we have a fully fit group, people may be left off the bench. Football changes quickly. You could be off the bench one minute, back on the bench the next, or beginning the following week.
“It’s crucial for everyone to keep as active and healthy as possible, to support one another, and to simply be confident and do their best.
“If you go to bed at night, having done everything you can throughout the week to prepare yourself, and you’re in a good place mentally and physically on a Saturday to give the best version of yourself, then that’s all you can do as a player, and the rest is up to the staff and the management team.”
