Gillingham FC defender Paul Konchesky: ‘I came to Gills to get promoted’

 

Over 500 appearances in England’ top two divisions, an FA cup final goal and a Europa League final runner’s-up medal- not the typical CV of a League One player.

 

But speaking for the first time since joining Gillingham in July, Paul Konchesky made it clear that this was no holiday before retirement; he was there “to win titles.”

“I’d like to get another promotion under my belt before I eventually retire and that’s why I came here. The club has good ambitions to try and get promoted and

I think with the squad we have this season, we can do that easily.”

 

The Gills have so far had a rollercoaster season so far. They’ve won just four of the first 11 games.

 

Konchesky has experienced a similar start to a promotion-chasing campaign during his five-year spell at Leicester.

 

In the 2012-13 Championship season, the Foxes won just five of their first 13 matches before eventually finishing the season in the play-off places.

 

Gills will have to emulate what Konchesky called Leicester’s “phenomenal” togetherness if they are to succeed this season.

 

He said: “The togetherness as a team on and off the pitch was there from day one. The fight they showed last year (to win the Premier League) made them almost unbeatable.”

 

Konchesky has played under the likes of Roy Hodgson, Nigel Pearson and Alan Curbishley in his career.

 

Current boss Justin Edinburgh is coming under increased pressure from the fans after their start to the season, but Konchesky praised the manager’s strong mentality:

“He’s got the mean side that every managers needs if you want to go to the top and he knows when to use it to get the best out of the team.”

 

Edinburgh is manager number 12 in Konchesky’s career, but there’s one manager who he holds higher than the rest.

 

Ex-England manager Roy Hodgson played a big part in Konchesky’s life on and off the pitch, and the veteran left-back had nothing but praise for him:

“His man-management is fantastic. Anything I needed to do or needed help with, he was a good manager to speak to.”

 

Hodgson spent five years working with Konchesky at Fulham and even brought him to Liverpool during his short tenure of boss at Anfield.

 

His familiarity and experience of playing against Premier League opposition was huge in the Gills biggest scalp of the season when they beat Watford 2-1 away in the League cup in August.

 

He said: “Going away to a Premier League club and taking them all away was fully deserved on the day. It was a great experience for everyone.”

 

The Gills season was then summed up in the following round away at Tottenham where they were comfortably beaten 5-0.

 

Konchesky’s experience will no doubt play a big part in the Kent club’s march towards promotion this season.

 

Even if he cannot play every week, his knowledge and leadership in the dressing room will help them overcome tough periods like the one they are currently under.

He also gave us his best ex-team mates team: