I have seen both these players come up through the ranks at Gillingham. Similar patterns loaned out to kent teams before recalled and getting in first team. Tucker left for undisclosed fee to M K Dons for possibly £500 K . Unfortunately didn't quite work out there and gone back to league 2. Yesterday was captain at Colchester and was MOM. Now we have Gale at Gills who looks like will also play at a higher level at some time. Will he have more success than Tucker.. For me Gale has a little bit more about him so be very interesting to see what level he achieves.
I still don't know what to make of Gale. I'm more questioning my own observations these days on that one rather than the ability of the player. I see many views even on this club board praising his output, and opinions I value, I just can't explain why I am not fully seeing it and I'm stuck in the yes, but has a long way to go mode. I think back to my younger years with Steve Bruce and think I spotted his potential straight away, I also saw it immediately with Gazzaniga who now plays at the highest level in Spain....but for some reason with Sam I can't make my mind up. Mind you I did forget who Tucker was so that probably explains a lot, senile as @alwaysright would say lol. Maybe I need to watch a few games back and just concentrate on the lad, but that sounds long and laborious, so I prefer to trust everyone's judgement and in ten years time I can claim I told everyone he would be great.
brb - I agree with some of your sentiments regarding Gale...My thoughts regarding the hindrance to Tucker's progression have been well documented - and - as senile as you are, even you will easily recall the debate that occurred. I think that Gale needs to find a club at a higher level - where his undoubted 'natural' talent as a centre back will flourish - otherwise the negative tactics of lower league football will cause him to waste his talents...... If he continues to do the basics without too much drama, he will be good enough to be recruited by a L1 / Championship club who should be able to see his potential.
Even Steve Bruce went to Norwich before the big step up, so I agree with you, Sam will only ever make the big step up once he takes a similar course. John Egan a more recent of the two did the same, went from us to Brentford in the Championship, before taking Sheffield United up and the Prem as his reward. Even Man Utd defender Maguire came from Sheffield United and played for another string of clubs before making his name at Man Utd. They all cross our paths at this level, yes he played against us while at the Blades. Btw did you know that even Peter Beardsley had trials with us, same time as Bruce, but we kept the latter and sent the former on his way. I'm full of useless information, just don't ask me what day it is today.
Jack Tucker was incredibly helped by playing alongside Ehmer which is why it never worked out for him at MK Dons because he never was afforded an experienced head to play alongside, instead asked to play in a three alongside two other younger defenders. His move to Colchester saw him drop down a league but play alongside an experienced Tom Flanagan (Gills fans remember him?) which has seen his performances take an up turn which is why Colchester fans very much are happy with him right now. In terms of comparing the two, I think there's some clear similarities but also some significant differences. For man marking, I think Sam is far ahead of what Tucker was for us. You only have to go back to some games like Chesterfield where he was employed to keep one of the best wingers in the league Markanday quiet which he did to perfection. I don't think we would have ever trusted Tucker to do that. I think Sam is also much faster and stronger than Tucker was with us and both of those attributes put Sam in good stead for his future. Now there are also two key areas where I believe Tucker has the upper hand, this being his positioning, something he would have learned early doors from playing alongside experienced defenders. Gale generally digs himself out with his speed, but if he was more positionally aware, we perhaps would have less issues than those he's creating. I also think Tucker was much better on the ball in terms of his passing ability. Sam's passing and technique on the ball I believe still requires a lot more development. Whilst he does occasionally try to drive with the ball up the pitch, it's normally pretty clumsily and only succeeds due to his pace or strength rather than his actual technique on the ball. So yes Sam still isn't the finished article yet. Tucker is probably in the prime of his career now and showing that L1/L2 are probably his ceiling, so Sam is going to need to step up on the areas I've mentioned if he's ever going to get further up the leagues.
Pegleg - I shall resist the temptation !!!! I understand, and share your thoughts regarding the 'raw' side of Gale... I agree that, at times, he does create problems for himself and the team - BUT - just how many problems does he resolve - and, without him, the team would be much worse. An observation - with some mitigation for his shortcomings : I have absolutely no doubt that Gills do not have fullbacks that are anywhere good enough for the role...Hutton & Clark are guilty of giving opposing forwards far too much time and space to pump crosses into the penalty area....I have seen Gale sprint out from his central position on numerous occasions - to act an emergency fullback - because H or C have gone for a cup of tea !! ..This often results in Gale either getting lucky because of his speed - or not beating the winger to the ball -- and this results in Gale being missing from the middle of the defence - and we have conceded goals because of this..If others around him did their job better, Gale could concentrate on his strengths - but - it would be churlish not to admire Gale's commitment.
