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Gills boss demands player passion

COOPER: "It's now time to stand up and be counted"
COOPER: "It's now time to stand up and be counted"

Bradford City v Gillingham

GILLINGHAM players need to show more passion if they are to stop their slump in form, according to boss Neale Cooper.

The Gills travel to Bradford on Saturday with just one defeat in their last six games. But they were booed off the pitch after last week’s 0-0 draw with Yeovil and needed extra-time to beat Conference side Crawley Town in the LDV Vans Trophy on Tuesday night.

Cooper said: "One thing I’ve always had is a team that goes out and plays with a bit of passion and desire. I just didn’t enjoy it last weekend and harsh words were said on Saturday and Sunday.

"When the players go out on the park they’ve got to do a job for you and the support we have had, because that’s been great. It’s up to whoever is on the pitch and it’s now time to stand up and be counted.

"After the game on Tuesday there was no time off and I think that’s important. They’ve got to keep strong because it will be a battle."

Cooper denied he is under pressure from the boardroom but chairman Paul Scally is clearly disappointed with the current league position.

Mr Scally bluntly revealed: "We are struggling and we’re a side down on confidence but we have players out who are key to the team’s success. When we go out on to that pitch we try and win every single game but we are up against it lately."

* KENT ONLINE WILL BRING YOU ALL THE CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS AHEAD OF KICK-OFF, A HALF-TIME UPDATE AND A FULL-TIME MATCH REPORT FROM GILLINGHAM, PLUS REPORTS AND RESULTS FROM ALL THE OTHER GAMES INVOLVING THE COUNTY'S MAJOR SIDES, ON SATURDAY.

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