Gareth Ainsworth did not hide his view after Gillingham’s 4-1 win at Rotherham United. He believes he has the best squad in League Two, and Saturday’s result gave that argument some real weight.
The scoreline was convincing enough on its own, but the bigger point was what it said about Gillingham’s place in the promotion race. The win moved them up to fourth in the table and left them three points behind Salford City, keeping them firmly in the conversation at the top end of League Two.
Ainsworth’s case
Ainsworth was clear about where he stands. “I feel I've got the best squad in the league. I'll say that outwardly now,” he said, making the point without qualification. He also pointed to the depth and commitment within the group, suggesting that the strength of the squad is not only about ability, but about how often changes can shift a game.
That was part of the story against Rotherham United. Ainsworth said he would like to play everyone, but he can only select 11 on the pitch, a reminder that selection is as much about timing and impact as it is about raw quality. In his view, the substitutes have repeatedly influenced matches, and that kind of contribution matters in a long League Two season.
The second-half adjustment
The win also reflected a tactical change after half-time. Ainsworth explained that, with “a million and one things” going through his head, his staff were calm enough to suggest Gillingham should drop off slightly and screen rather than press all out. He said that adjustment “worked a treat” in the second half and helped Gillingham regain control.
That detail matters because it shows why the result was about more than energy or momentum. Gillingham did not simply overpower Rotherham United for 90 minutes; they adapted, reset the press and managed the game better after the break. In a promotion push, that kind of flexibility can be just as valuable as flair.
What it means next
For Gillingham, the challenge is to turn a strong result into a sustained run. Being fourth and three points off the top is a good place to be, but it also leaves little room for error. If Ainsworth is right about the squad’s depth, then the next test is proving that it can keep delivering when the table tightens and the pressure rises.
Right now, Gillingham have the result, the position and the confidence to justify the noise around them. The real question is whether they can keep making that claim look less like a statement and more like a fact.
