Good or Bad? Martin Allen's method's have certainly propelled us to heights in League Two that would not have been most fans expectation at the beginning of the season. However, is this due to the rotation system or is it actually costing us points that has seen us lose top spot a few weeks back. I thought I had learned to expect the unexpected with Mad Dog but I have to admit yesterday's selection certainly was more surprising than most. The ever present Matt Fish this season being the biggest example, I think I had seen Gills_Stats within the week commenting that he had spent more minutes on the pitch this season than any other player. Then we have Steven Gregory replacing Jack Payne, who I was to later learn after the game had gone out on loan to Championship side Peterborough United. Myles Weston was also evident in his absence. Regardless though of differing opinions on varied players and your own personal favourites and stopping short of any criticism, let us just call it an observation - surely you can not change a team around to such an extent without it having dire consequences. Like it or not football players might have to be adaptable but they are not machines that can automatically be placed into position. They have to be allowed time to adapt to their new role and the positioning around them. To be honest I have now had enough of the tinkering and want to see a more settled first eleven.
Are there enough players left for rotation ? It can not be sending out the right messages to any potential new signings. Only players that would want to come are when they have no other offers.
You have got your intro wrong brb. This season was due to be a "golden" one with high expectations due to uniquely favourable circumstances. Why? First because there was money in the bank, loads of it from the deals for Gazza, Bertrand, Jarvis etc. Second there was a group of talented youngsters knocking on the first tewam door. Third, a group of high cost under performing players had been cleaned out as their 2 and 3 year contracts came to an end. So any thinking Gills fan should have appreciated that this was a once in a life time opportunity for success after years of austerity. Turning to rotation policy, we have to remember this is league 2. No European matches, no international duties, no long cup runs with replays, NO NEED FOR ROTATION. In fact success at this level is based on consistency of selection and concentrating on a pool of 12 or 13 players making changes only for injury or obvious loss of form. Depending on fitness levels individuals may benefit from a break but this should be as an exception. Lastly, unless there is an absolute desperate need loan players should be avoided at all costs. All is not lost this season, the league table suggests things are fine even if the rate of points accumulation is awful. The team will start to win and when that happens there should be no tinkering. Then everyone can congratulate MA on his genius for bringing back Jackman and Montrose.
MA's team are top of the league half way through the season having beaten all of the top teams. The last couple of games have simply emphasised the lack of quality in the final third that has existed throughout the season, where teams that now come to Priestfield are "raising" their game and we have been unable to knock the goals in to break them down. MA has rectified this situation in the short term with the signing of McDonald and we are all now aware that Kedwell/Burton/Birchall are not the team to succeed next season in LG1. The great success this year has come from Allen's superb team and tactical rotation. If the team were in tenth, there would be something to criticise!
I would have to say good in the long term, against york a fully fit squad and with the business end of the season coming up it good to see all are available for selection, play the same team a bit too much and we become a little predicable, and players start to pull hamstring, calfs,groins etc!. We can't really complain we have been in the top three basically from the start. It's a marathon not a sprint. PS bad because i sometimes do a first goalscorer bet- totally given up trying now.
