Gillingham midfielder Ethan Coleman fully understands the need to change a winning team.

Coleman was one of three players to come into the starting XI for the 1-0 victory at Sutton on Tuesday night.

The youngster’s defensive qualities shone through as Neil Harris’ side made it three wins out of three in League 2.

But it’s horses for courses as Gills look to challenge for promotion and with Saturday’s opponents Crawley offering a different challenge, there are no guarantees he will retain his place.

“With the squad we have this season you can almost expect there to be changes,” said Coleman.

“Obviously as a player, you want to be playing every game and it’s sometimes frustrating but I think you’ve got to look at the bigger picture.

“There’s so many games this season and you’ve just got to work together as a whole team.

“The subs coming on tonight were brilliant again, so it’s perfect the way it’s working at the minute. Long may it continue.”

Coleman, a January signing from Leyton Orient, had a loan spell at National League club Bromley last season.

His time in non-league gave him a taste of the physical side of the game and that’s what Sutton were all about.

He said: “They’re obviously a big team and a big unit and we defended well against them.

“And we had to put our bodies on the line.

“I’ve had experiences in the National League that have been like that but that was tough, especially for a League 2 game.

“We expected Sutton would be a really tough game, we knew it would be a battle.

“I think we’ve done well. Our preparation has been really good.

“The gaffer says after games that he feels like he’s picking the team for the right game and I think it’s working to perfection at the minute.”

Harris told the players he would learn a lot about them at Sutton - and they didn’t disappoint.

Coleman certainly played his part in an impressive display from the 23-year-old.

“That’s what he was saying in the changing room,” said Coleman.

“It sort of gives you a little bit of a ‘let’s show him we can do it’ (mentality) and we did it.

“Everyone prefers to play flowing football but coming to a place like this, dropping deeper, that’s one of the things we’ve spoken about, me as a defensive midfielder having to drop back in occasionally and do the hard graft.”