Club News, Features
Williams: Ninety Minutes is always good
Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on July 27, 2010
Lauren Williams is one of the new players signed by Ian Varley during the summer to help boost his squad ahead of the coming season.
The 18-year-old is settling in well and played her first 90 minutes since joining the Club and she felt that it was good work out.
She said: “Ninety minutes is always good to get in pre-season and against Lewes it was good for not only me but the team’s fitness levels in the lead up to the start of the season in a few weeks.
“The Transition for me has been mixed, there has been time where it has been weird not being around and training with the same people you live with day in day out for two years. In terms of feeling welcome at the Club that has been top draw.
“I have felt part of the team always, I am really enjoying being at Gillingham, the atmosphere is good at both training and matches and the first few weeks for me have been a good starting point.”
The Gills have won both of their first two pre-season games and it is all coming down to the hard work on the training ground.
The right back added: “The back four was different against Lewes to what it was in the previous game and I think that showed a little in the game, we had spells of uncertainty. We all felt after the game that we need to work on our defensive issues more in training to become more adaptable in certain situations.
“The fitness sessions have definitely been a key part of pre-season and it’s shown in the two games which we have played already. Especially last week people felt and looked really sharp in the game.
“Unfortunately this week we all had an awful journey up there and the sun was beaming which made it really hot on the pitch. As a result I think everyone felt a little sluggish and tired, however the fitness sessions are a great benefit and I am sure everyone agrees with that in the long run.”
Lauren is looking forward to the start of the season and trying to make the right back position her own.
“Of course I want to make it my own position but I am also aware that there are other players fighting for the same place. I know that I need to put in good performances to prove myself to the manager and players.
“I feel I am still settling in and trying to adapt to the way the team play so I know I have yet to reach my full potential.
“Charlton is always a good game at whatever level you play them at, they give a good battle and work hard. We need to be on the top of our performance levels for the first game of the season in order for us to have a good start.
“I know some of the girls at Charlton and I know they are up for the game already so we need to prepare ourselves in the best possible way and focus on the good start that we want.”
The Gills take on Millwall on Thursday night in the toughest test for Gills Ladies and Lauren knows Millwall and Watford will provide the biggest tests for pre-season.
She said: “Millwall and Watford will be our toughest games in pre-season and I feel as though we need to step up our performance another level higher for these games.
“Our main aim throughout pre-season is to prepare ourselves for the start of the season in terms of fitness levels and technical ability. Of course there is still the aspect of wanting to win every game, especially the ones against the big teams.”