BARROW AFC manager Pete Wild isn't taking tomorrow’ clash lightly, no matter what his opposite number says.
Speaking to the press earlier this week Gillingham boss Stephen Clemence ruled out a play-off push following last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Bradford City.
While a top-seven finish is still mathematically possible, realistically, it would take something special from the Gills, and for the wheels to fall off for a number of other sides.
But giving up on the play-offs isn’t the same as writing off the season, and Wild says tomorrow’s hosts have lots to play for.
Wild told The Mail: “They will have pride at stake, and they will want to finish the season well.
“On top of that they are at home, so all of those things thrown into the mix gives them a chance of getting a result.
“It’s certainly not a game where we think we can just turn up and win.
“We saw with Swindon, that people thought they had nothing to play for, and yet they came and played with freedom and got a deserved 2-0 win.”
Wild drew comparisons between the Gills and The Bluebirds ahead of the League Two clash at Priestfield tomorrow.
“Gillingham are a team that’s full of experience,” he said. “They are solid to play against, and a team that has recruited really well, and has got a lot of players far better than the level.
“But they are a team who has found results a little bit inconsistent recently, a little bit like ourselves.”
The two sides met each other at Holker Street last month, Wild’s men claiming a 2-0 win on home turf.
And Wild says they will have to make sure that they are at their best to get something on their travels this time out.
“It’s very important that we concentrate on what our strengths are tomorrow and make sure we negate what Gillingham can do,” he added.
“And if we do that then we can look to make sure that we can impose ourselves on the game.
“Like I say they have got some top players, and they recruited players better than the level in January.
“But we know what we have to do, and we have to make sure that we get back to being the best version of ourselves.
“If we do that then we know that we give ourselves the best chance of getting the result we want.”
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