What do you all think about Martin Allen making several changes for each game? I think its worked well and I expect it to continue. It keeps everyone on their toes and keeps the whole squad involved. Its also interesting that on other sites their are comments like ''were Kedwell and Payne injured?'' ''Is Jackman out of favour?'' Seems that some fans still have the Hessenthaler mentality of having the same team if everyone is fit. Squad rotation is the way things should be!
It seems to be working. From interviews I've read the players seem to understand if they work hard they will get a chance and also that not playing one game doesn't mean they are out of the team. It's much more about the squad and how everyone has a part to play.
To be honest I am totally confused by it all at the moment. So any onlooking opposition don't stand a chance on squad observation, although our tactics would surely be the priority for those onlookers. Personally though maybe the squad is starting to form a shape. I see no reason why Nelson would lose his position between the sticks. Also with my limited observations to date, Charlie Allen is earning his place along without a doubt Myles Weston. I believe Martin Allen will eventually be hit with a psychological dilemma, in that you can swap your squad around as much as you like but eventually the players that show through will become mental favourites in your mind. Much as the previous need for a winger in mine. Can Martin Allen remain completely unbias for a whole season, I think in the name of human nature, not. You only need to look at comments in reports to see this starting to show through. Was Martin Allen not full of praise for goal scoring Keds a game or so back. Ok, this could be deemed nothing more than a confidence boost, he even managed to leave him out for the Dag & Red game but with the scores level, made the change looking at the stats in 61st minute with the scores level and in the 62nd minute the game changed (2-1 Gills). I will admit to being alarmed at the back four line up against Dag & Red but I was not there so I cannot comment. So yes squad rotation is good whilst things are currently going our way, however, I believe you may be seeing a different mind set if the tide should change.
I believe that the rotation system (when fully in place) will provide the safety net for when players are either (inevitably) injured or suspended. It should negate the 'Oh my God what are we going to do when A.B or C are out of the side'. When everyone is fully adaptable we will have a fully flexible and therefore stronger side to carry us through the 46 games (+) of the season. An interesting start to what I believe will be an interesting season. Go go Gills.
if we're going to rotate to keep everyone interested, we need to give Birchall, Strevens, & Essam ( and possibly Evans ) a chance against Middlesborough. I would actually give Weston a rest - He's looking so good that we shouldn't burn him out on ' meaningless 'games.
Martin Allen has commented about Birchall and Essam on the official site... http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/article/martin-previews-middlesbrough-336985.aspx
OK I'll accept what Allen is saying about Birchall ( is he really not yet ready to start a game - of this relative insignificance ? )- but find it difficult to believe what Allen says about Essam's standard ! I'm loving what is happening with our winning start - and have no major issues with the team selection* . My post above ( No.5 ) was not a criticism, but a thought - one of many which Martin Allen may avail himself - best he sends me a pm. * I'm sorry - despite a great cross for Burton to score - my judgement re Fish is still reserved. He is better than last season ( not difficult to improve on ) - but I'm not convinced that he is good enough for a team that should be looking for top 3. I'm happy to give more time. ( and I don't suppose that Allen will wait until we've lost 5 games in a row before making changes )
Mr. GFC1234, I don't want to seem overly negative but I'm afraid that is a foolish thing to say. Even if we win the league we'll lose more than that! League winners usually lose 6-8 games... I'd say a 3rd placed finish is more realistic, which would mean probably at least 10-12 defeats. Back to the positivity... yay 3 league wins out of 3! And we can now concentrate on the league (last night tbh it was borderline as to whether I actually wanted us to win or not. League Cup = waste of time, unless you get to the semis).
Its not foolish at all! When we were promoted in 1996 we only lost 7 all season! Its a good target to beat!
think the rotation is more allen still trying to find his best set up and players as much as it is about rotating. i would expect by xmas for there to be a core starting 11 as at any club. however this year despite the numbers game we've played i feel most positions have strenght in depth (through youngsters coming on and aquisitions) which maybe in years gone by we havent had over so many posistions
The only problem I can see in this squad rotation idea, is that its fine whilst we are playing 2 games a week ,because most players will play once a week, but when the amount of games drop off to once a week, players will only get to play once a fortnight, and we're not a Premiership club where the disappointment of not playing is tempered by the big wage packet, and they can still play in the reserve side. Gills players don't have that advantage, so there may be some unrest.
Well - we're half a dozen games into the season - and about 4 changes per game seems to be the going rate. It's obvious that the centre back positions are of most interest ( concern ) for the fans. It's great the we, as a humble L2 team, have depth in strength in several positions - but I've always thought that if it's not broken why fix it ? Flanagan had a good game at Wycombe, but in his 2 home league games he has not distinguished himself. Yet Davies, very good at Dagenham was left out against Chesterfield. I would have thought that Martin Allen has seen enough of Jack Payne to realise that he reads the game so much better than Montrose - yet the latter is in more favour. I haven't got a problem in squad rotation per se, but I think we should concentrate in putting out the best possible team for the league games ( at least ) and all the time it's working, keep it unchanged.... on the proviso that if changes need to be made Martin Allen does it early ( as shown )
All I would say is that it's okay when we win but when we lose do we keep the same team or do we keep changing it ?
I think that Martin Allen has made the players realise that anything less than their best will result in their substitution / replacement ( although Flanagan survived the chop yesterday.) In the middle of last season we had 6 defeats in a row ( 1 cup ) before Hess changed personnel - despite threatening to do so time & again. - and then changed it again, to re introduce his favourites after recovery from injury, despite only one defeat in 7. Martin Allen doesn't appear to be the soft touch that we didn't realise about Hess ( all except Mc Cammon )
I can't decide if Allen is a good manager, as his makes changes early or a bad manager as he has clearly started with the wrong players ?
Currently based purely on performances I have seen, the following players would make my own personal first team line up... Nelson - absolutely confident handling and some fine saves against Chesterfield yesterday. His kicking is directly down centre of field, although some of his kicks are far to long straight into the hands of the opposition keeper. Allen -certainly made an immediate impact yesterday and should have scored. He was also my MOM against Bradford. Payne - purely keeping confidence in the lad. Lee - continues on from where he left off last season with his bulldog spirit, a right little warrior and so far keeping his discipline in check. Weston - obviously I like pacey wingers so he would make my team anyway. Some good runs and pace that gets the opposition on the back foot, also supplying Keds with his goal if I am correct. Second half I felt he looked a bit lost with Keds overall contribution and play otherwise being directed down the right. Just felt a couple of times he allowed the pace on the ball outdo his own ability - is there a weakness there showing through to be worked on. Barrett - the only one of the back four, that gets my recognition from what I have currently seen this season. Heading out every time any threat. Maybe needs to get the ball down but probably not ideal against Chesterfield, so more time required to pass fair judgement but the only one that gets his place for now. I hasten to add Fish is gradually coming in to my confidence but I need to see more to change my mind for a selection. Keds - my heart of opinion has changed and he has earned his place with three league goals in four games. His effort is faultless but it's what hits the back of the net that counts and should let others such as Weston do some of the chasing. So I give you a selection of seven for the eleven for the time being.
