http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10416~2728253,00.html OK, its the youth team and the weekend tournament in Boulogne, but hopefully an indication that whilst not all be what we would wish as far as the first team is concerned, there are good things happening at the lower levels, with a number of youth players beginning to make their way into the first team squad. Obviously not a recipe for immediate success, but surely a cause of some optimism for the future.
Tim -J.Payne,Gazza, Essam,Miller ( Evans & Davies - barring a couple of mistakes ) have proved they are good enough. We will struggle to keep hold of at least a couple of them. I wonder how many more points we might now have if they had been included earlier - not when they were the only ones left with two working legs ! I hope you don't get the chance to see them in Rochdale next season ( look certain for relegation)
I saw a comment on a different thread about how physical L2 is in general, and Gills current style of play is quite physical, and therefore probably less suited to younger players. What I'd like to see is a different less physical style - more passing and less hoof - which would probably suit the younger players better. The game is called FOOTball after all. I'm not suggesting that the whole first team should be comprised of young ex-youth team players, but several have proved they have the ability to move up, as you point out some more successfully than others - from what I've seen in one live match and the highlights on TV Essam in particular looks very assured. Yes, we'll probably loose some over the years, but hopefully make some money in the process. And I wouldn't offer any odds against Gillingham playing at Rochdale next season. It's now going to take 2 miracles for them not to meet in L2.
