No - you can't have both ! It's FA Cup 1st round (proper) day for The Gills. We have a very potential banana skin game against lower league opponents - whose season will be over if they lose to us. They will be encouraged by what Salford did last night - and knowing that we're missing key players ( Dack suspended , along with that murderer Josh Wright) - as well as our injured players. We are 3rd in our division after a third of the season - not bad ! However, whilst there have been some weird results, and unfancied teams at the top, I suspect that we're not good enough to end up in the automatic promotion places - or even in the play-offs ! you all have my permission to ram these words down my throat next May if (for once ), I am not alwaysright. I make this suggestion based on the fact that we haven't played too many clubs in the top half of L1. Our recent 'performances' haven't been special - hardly what I call 'promotion material.' We need to raise our game, not just today, or in the next few 'tough-looking' fixtures - but for the remaining 30 league games --- otherwise we won't be going to Wembley next May ! Sadly I think that recent injuries and suspensions ( both of which are likely to increase ) - have shown that we haven't got quite enough depth in the squad to sustain a title / promotion challenge - and I'm genuinely surprised and disappointed that we haven't got a loan striker to 'help' cover the loss of Norris. If we have a bit of a run in the cup it can get fans excited - well,when I say fans, I mean 'plastics.' - you know who I mean - the sort of morons who phone the Club to demand a ticket - because they have been a supporter since the year dot - then have to ask the location of the ticket office to pick up their tickets. ( true story ). But an FA Cup cup run nearly messed up our promotion to the Champioship last time around. We ended up having to play 'catch-up' in the league - and ended up having a different sort of Wembley experience - which is all very well when you win ( but miserable if you're 2-0 up and can't hold onto the lead ). I suppose my answer to my question would be ; Heart says 'Cup run.' Head says 'Promotion.' .................. And - Yes, I want both.
Always....with you. Got to be promotion, however I too have been concerned for some time regarding the lack of 'real' depth to the squad. Josh Wright out, Norris out and the implications all too clear. Just glad that Wright and Dack will be back next week when they will really be needed. Need that loan striker.....heard we were getting a player named Williamson? Any news on him yet...... :-(
I say yes you can have both, no we are not going to win the cup and it will be a struggle to win the league over the full season but it's that all important 3rd round tie that's brings in some money (depending on the draw of course) regardless of what happens at the end of this season, say we get a prem team at home or away that is televised, I do not ' the money amounts involved but if we don't go up this season that money will surely help with the squad next season, if we are serious about being a championship team we can't start whinging about too many games, if we want to play with the big boys I say get to that third round up the appeal of the club and boost the bank balance a bit. I know this is a not a fair comparison but the Premier league teams surrender domestic cup competitions for the champions league and that in turn is hurting the English game as a whole. It is after all the oldest Cup competition in the world I think it should get the respect it deserves.
WINDYROG If you wish to start a thread (Dickenson) - be prepared to take flak for yourself - rather than expect others to get unnecessary grief ( I actually think that I've frightened away grumpygit ! ...... as for Willianson, I'd like to say that I think he isn't a
Ha ha......no problem taking any 'flack'.....been taking it all my life! Just some questions need answering. As for 'Williamson'.......I've tried Googling it but not got any hits.... ;-) Anyway....I've started another thread.........so you can have another 'pop' at me.....
Windyrog You haven't upset me - so I really don't want to waste any hurtful words on you - but if I did want to say something unkind , I'd start off gently - by saying that, as I know that you live in a time zone a couple of hours ahead - the Gills season, for you, was already finished before kick off time here in England. (happy days). edit - you say that you've Googled 'Williamson' and came up with no "hits" - it really depends on what you was expecting. I think that if you rearrange the letters in the word "hits", you'll get your answer.
Always....no probs and no offence taken. France is only one hour ahead..... Every home game from 1968 - 1984 when possible and some away games too (I worked shifts in another county). From 1984 was a little less frequent due to family commitments......was I to support Brighton?..... As a 'plastic' supporter I managed all three Wembley 'finals' flying back from Oman for the Shrewsbury game and when I'm back in the UK I do my best to attend. Like many others, my desire for the team's success is not lessened by the time zone and distance difference. I was born within shouting distance of Priestfield stadium and wherever I live, my support and genuine feeling for the team remains undiminished. Yes, I am 'lucky' enough to live where I choose and have a home I could never afford or dream of back in the UK....choices....we all have to make them. Please make no mistake.....my desire for success for the Gills is no less because of where I live or any less relevant. I am sure that I speak for many 'ex pat' supporters........
Windyrog One hour ahead - well the season still was over for you before kick off time here in England. You know that I'm not being horrible to you ( just very gentle banter ). I do not classify you as plastic fan - there's plenty of them that live in spitting distance of the ground - but wouldn't know what colour we play in ! I understand that your personal and family circumstances places physical restrictions on the number of games you can attend -and whilst I accept mitigation of other people - perhaps, for example, due to personal finances, there are too many 'glory hunters' who come to Priestfield once a decade = despite living in the same post code
Always....your banter is 'Always' welcome. I just thought it appropriate to lay out my colours and position. I honestly believe that your first team is the one you truly support for life....regardless of where you end up living, and it is too easy to 'support' (read 'follow') a successful team. Supporting Gills will always be that switchback of joy and sorrow (normally more sorrow) so when the chance for 'joy' comes along we tend to grab at it almost in desperation. With the financial input and position we are in, we are doing OK this season.....with a young team from the 'shallow end' of the talent pool. I'm sure that JE will have suffered some considerable disappointment (along with many other managers) yesterday. Onwards and upwards.
