The 35-year-old has settled well into life in North Lincolnshire, and told iFollow Iron he is looking forward to the prospect of the first friendly of pre-season, away at North Ferriby United on Saturday afternoon.
ON THE FIRST 10 DAYS…
MG: Personally, it’s going well. I spent the first week in the gym because I had a slight problem with my calf, which kept me out of training. I’ve ‘had the gloves on’ since Monday and I feel really good. It was just a case of getting back into it, and I’m really enjoying it. You train before you come back in anyway, and I did for a good few weeks before coming in. I’m fit now and it’s a case of building up to get to proper match fitness for the start of the season.
ON THE FRIENDLY AT NORTH FERRIBY…
MG: It will be 45 minutes for most people. I’m looking forward to putting the jersey on, getting out there and getting the first game in. It’s come around quite quickly, which is good for the lads. It will be the first time we’ve played together, and 45 minutes is ideal for us just to run through things. You can train all day long, but you know certain things are different in a game. Training is important for general fitness and sharpness, but gameplay is what we’re after so that’s why these games are good.
ON SETTLING IN…
MG: I knew a couple of the lads anyway. I’ve been in a lot of dressing rooms but I must say, these really are a good bunch of lads. The lads have been working fine, and they’ve come back in the changing rooms not moaning. They’ve just got on with and kept their heads down. There are a lot of youngsters and if I can help them in any way, along with other senior professionals, then that’s also what I’m here for - not just to compete to play in goal.
ON THE OTHER GOALKEEPERS…
MG: It’s good for those two (youth goalkeepers Adam Kelsey and Sam Riches) to come along and train with myself and Rory. Mussy (goalkeeping coach Paul Musselwhite) is a great guy, and I really enjoy his training. It suits me and it’s what I actually like. I’ve really enjoyed being out there, he has bags of experience to pass on and hopefully they can learn a lot from it.
See much more from Matt Gilks on iFollow Iron.
