With speculation heightening about the possible departure of Jack Payne, I thought it was worth a debate in attempt to gauge whether Gillingham fans feel the club should keep the centre midfielder. Reports have suggested in recent days and weeks that Peterborough are keen to regain the services of the 21 year old whose successful loan spell for the midlands club has seemingly made the play-maker a priority for the Posh. And within the last day or so with reports stating that Birmingham are ready to join the chase, it's interesting to now see where the future lies for the midfielder. Payne is a player I have rated ever so highly ever since his debut against Chester at the age of just 16, where he showed a willingness to receive the ball and really become the lynch pin in midfield, much like the role Jack Wilshere performs for Arsenal. His performance against Leeds United in 2010 really typified his character as a footballer, replacing the injured Barry Fuller after just four minutes and marking who I believed to be the best winger in the division at the time, Robert Snodgrass. For an 18 year old to step into a position he was unaccustomed with and perform so remarkably sent alarm bells throughout the stadium, we clearly had a bit of a gem. Now at the age of just 21, it's fair to say that his performances since Martin Allen has taken over have been far from what Gills fans have come to expect, and he seemed to become increasingly frustrated with Mad Dog's rotation policy as he struggled to really capture any sort of consistent form in the early stages of the season. His loan move to Peterborough provided him with a chance to really show what he is all about and in the time he was there, became an instant fans favourite and from what I have heard from many Posh fans, was one of the best players in the second half of the season. To be honest it surprised me how well he seemingly coped in the Championship having seen his performances in League 2 prior to his loan move but it left me thinking, are Gillingham utilising him well enough? The short answer is no. Clearly Payne operates best when sitting just in front of the back four, collecting the ball from the centre backs and acting as the transition from defence to midfield, a role he performs seamlessly in the right team. I feel that at times Allen's direct tactics weren't favourable to the 21 year old and nor were the centre midfielders paired next to him. In a team which looks to play quick passing attractive football, Payne flourishes as he did at the Posh, but when as Gillingham did early on in our Championship winning season, opt instead to at times by-pass central midfield and exploit the wings and play off the strikers, it often leaves a player like Payne helpless. The additions of both David Wright and in particular Steven Gregory changed all that and it was for all to see the difference it made. The thought of Gregory and Payne as a central midfield pairing makes me nearly salivate, sorry for the detail but you get the point. They're the sort of players who lend to each others style of play. With Gregory and Payne both capable of playing the holding midfield role, they could be interchangeable, operating different roles becoming a dominant League 1 central midfield pairing. It isn't rocket science why the likes of Peterborough and Birmingham are so keen to acquire Payne's services. His ability, tactical awareness and range of passing at such a young age makes him an exciting prospect for teams and Gillingham would be foolish not to use him. Of course if Payne wants to leave then I wish him all the best and if we were to gain between £800,000 and a £million for the midfielder then that would be satisfactory, but I feel despite some criticism I have read from other Gillingham fans, he still has a huge role to play at the club ahead of the upcoming League 1 campaign. Do you agree or should we cash in on Payne now?
Like you I've always been a fan, in my view we are a better team with him in the side. He also has a massive long throw. Would we be better to swap him for a lot of money? Maybe but if Mr Scally really sees us a Championship side we need quality and Jack is that rare item Roy
I would love for Payne to stay, I really rate him and think he is the best we've got in the middle of the park. The way he holds up the ball and can pick a pass is much better than we've seen at Priestfield for a few years. During his time out of the side and around his departure to Peterborough we struggled for home form. He was the player that had steadied the ship up until then and the hole he left showed how much we needed him. Luckily Gregory picked up his performances and now looks a very good signing. Could they play together I am not so sure. Although Payne does like to get higher up the pitch, he is best when sat in that role in front of the back four like a Jack Wilshere or Michael Carrick. Some people think he's gone as far as he can go in a Gills shirt but a feel in a higher league after a few monnths away, he will come back refreshed and hungirer for the chance of more success with us.
love Payne to stay as he proved by playing at championship level he is our best midfielder. Not sure why Allen did not want to play him enough. Expect Payne to go but must be over £500k.
I said in the past that Martin Allen was rotating the team too much at the start of last season ( and got away with it .) Unfortunately Payne suffered from lack of sufficient selection. I am certain that he would have cemented his place if he had not voiced any dissatisfaction with the selection policy. Gills definitely are a better team with him in the side. With the departure of Charlie Lee we need Payne to break up play as well being a play maker.
It has been abundantly clear for some time that Payne wants to move on, and he has some justification. The real point is that he performed outstandingly well for Gills in League i but that was four seasons ago and he has been inconsistent since then. Interestingly he performed well at Peterborough so he has still got it. It is in everyone's interest for him to move on.
if he gets a move to a championship team then i would say thanks and good luck as i believe it would be wrong to get in the way of payne in progressing his playing career, but moving to posh is a sideways move at best, admittedly they have had a good few seasons but its unlikely to stay that way there willbe an inevitable decline as there was for us, walsall, grimsby etc such is the nature of lower league football but payne has the ability to play in an upper mid table championship club and to escape that before he ends up as just another lower league journeyman
From a selfish point of view I think the majority of us would like to see him stay (As proved in a recent fans' survey in Kent on Line) However, if I am honest, I think with MA still in charge, the time is right for the lad to move on. Subject to him getting a good offer from a well established club of course.
I have to disagree. The club is changing and growing in a different direction. Let's look at the facts about Jack over the past couple of seasons. He is a fine player, one I am fairly sure could hit Premiership level with the right conditioning and time spent with the right team but for us there have been injury worries If he stays so be it, but the phrase 'don't put all your eggs in one basket' comes to mind. We have had fantastic players leave before, and we came back again.
