Despite the defeat by leaders Chesterfield at Priestfield on Tuesday, optimism has not been dampened ahead of Saturday's home game against Aldershot. Read what our panel of fans think of Gillingham's prospects.

JAMES BARNES

(Strood)

"I think the Gills will win because on Tuesday the players had the desire to get the three points but Chesterfield’s defence was well organised and the likes of Rooney (pictured right), Akinfenwa (pictured above) and McDonald couldn’t get the final finish to get past the goalkeeper.

"Both teams will want the three points but I just feel we will be too strong for them."

Prediction: Gills 3 Aldershot 1

RICHARD PEPPER

(Manston)

"I felt that this week would define our season. We have recently played three of the better teams in the division and come away with only one point from nine. Automatic promotion is now impossible unless the top three suddenly go into free-fall and we go on a 10-match winning run.

"It is obvious we need another striker as we have squandered too many chances in the last couple of games. Aldershot are buzzing under Dean Holdsworth and will be another tough test.

"Home advantage seems to have gone out of the window but anything less than three points will be unacceptable."

Prediction: Gills 1 Aldershot 1

JAMES PEMBLE

"Following on from a decent performance on Tuesday against a very good Chesterfield side, my hope is that we can pick up again and keep our decent run going.

"Aldershot are a side on the up, but my hope is that we have too much class for them and can start our push for promotion."

Prediction: Gills 2 Aldershot 0

SAM LIVINGSTONE

(Pangbourne)

"It is absolutely imperative that we beat Aldershot as we have a tough run of games coming up and the league is so close that a few bad results could see us drop back down.

"We are only four points off automatic promotion so we need to keep picking up points, especially at home.

"It seems as though creating chances is less of a problem than actually putting the ball in the net, so I think that McDonald (pictured) will have to be on form on Saturday and if he is I can see us powering past Aldershot."

Prediction: Gills 4 Aldershot 1

WARREN LIGHTFOOT

"If Gillingham can create as many chances as they did on Tuesday night then the they should run out comfortable winners.

"The Shots are unlikely to relish coming to Priestfield and will probably adopt a very defensive approach to the game, the Gills may have to be patient and work hard to break them down.

"Providing Gillingham do not resort to long balls to Bayo and continue to pass the ball through the midfield they should run out winners."

Prediction: Gills 3 Aldershot 1

STEVE GIBBS

(Aldershot fan)

"Things have turned around in recent weeks and after the team were going backwards under Kevin Dillon, we’ve gone on a three-game unbeaten run under new manager Dean Holdsworth.

"Dean has brought excitement back to our team. Everyone is feeling a lot happier now.

"We’re now closer to the play-off positions than the relegation ones for the first time and we’ve got a chance."

Prediction: Gills 2 Aldershot 2

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