So we have now broken our WLWLWL streak by losing 2 on the trot, can we turn it around at Bristol. Whilst it's not time to panic just yet we do need to start picking up points, 3 loses in the last 4 games against teams below us in the table (Sheff are now above) is leaving us getting dragged back into the relegation dog fight. Bristol have a bad defensive record having conceded 55 goals, unfortunately Gills have also conceded 55 goals. Bristol are reasonable going forward with 47 goals scored, 5 more than Gills have managed on 42 goals. Bristol have lost 13 games against the Gills incredible 17 games lost. Anyone who thinks this will be an easy game is dreaming, this is going to be a hard match but one we can win if we cut out the silly mistakes at the back and find our scoring form up front (2 games without a goal) I'm not traveling for this one but will be glued to the radio.
I will be listening on Gills Player for this one, got a busy football schedule coming up with Crawley and Coventry at home, both games i'm looking forward to seeing, then Bradford away. That latter being £50 with ticket and coach so saving the pennies. My preseason prediction was a defeat and what with me lacking confidence in PT at the moment, I'll be happy just to bring a point away. I don't know what the injury situation is but this is my team and like Peter Taylor I've decided some players are not quite looking up to it and therefore am applying some PT logic, let's see if you can work out what that logic is... Nelson Hewitt Davies (replaces the tired Barrett) Legge Borrowdale (replaces the tired Martin) Harriman Smith Hessy Lee (replaces the dormant Weston) McDonald Dack (I just can't bring myself to leave the young lad out but Bayo can replace him if after 20 mins if Dack starts to look tired - can someone please order Bayo a Nando's though while he's waiting)
Not sure brb but I think Harriman has done his hamstring. When did we last win a game without Dack in the team?
ok, if Harriman is injured stick Whelps in there. I'd rather play Dack than Bayo, however, the reason i said Bayo after 20 minutes is because the big man is my get out clause if my plan does a PT on me. So just thought feed the beast with Nando's as his warm up exercises just in case.
Bristol City lost 3-0 at Sheffield Utd last week,and their last home ended in a 2-2 draw with Tranmere,so we know they concede goals.I believe they have conceded as many goals as us this season.They currently sit in the bottom 4,but like Sheffield Utd you expect them to get out of it.I think we need to be looking at getting something out of this game after two straight defeats,another defeat would make the gap smaller and we would be looking over our shoulders again. I will be making my first Trip to Ashton Gate on Saturday,I will be going by Coach.This will be another Ground to tick off for me,and my second away game out of the South East.
KFG Do you fancy being a temporary Camel for one day ? I will be missing my second game of the season due to three more important commitments falling on the same day. If you fancy doing a write up ( deflecting any pain of defeat ) - don't stand next to BSG in case his flare sets light to your notes.
I think Gillingham will line up as follows....................... --------------------------Nelson----------------------------------- Hewitt---------Legge-----------------Barrett----------------Martin --------------Linganzi----------------Gregory----------------------- ***an--------------------Smith------------------------------Dack ------------------------McDonald--------------------------------- Subs: Baxter (GK), Davies, Hessenthaler, Lee, Weston Akinfenwa, Pigott Because of the importance of the game tomorrow and how wide Bristol City's pitch is, I think we should name a 4.5.1 / 4.3.3 formation. With that in mind I think Amine Linganzi and Steven Gregory will both sit and protect the back four, Craig ***an suits a 4.3.3 system and he is comfortable anywhere in the front four and I think Craig ***an is the sort of player you want in your side for this sort of game, I think Connor Smith should play in the centre of a three man midfield after his performance last week away at Oldham Athletic with Bradley Dack starting on the left wing - I know Bradley Dack and Connor Smith are similar players, but they both offer us a lot of energy and both players do track back and help the team out defensively, they also suit Peter Taylor atheistic approach to midfield players as well. I know Cody McDonald probably does not suit this formation, but after the out-cry last week I think Cody McDonald has to start regardless if we play one or two players up top, Dack, Smith and ***an are all players who can thread through a pass and Cody can get in behind defences and cause Bristol City plenty of problems with his pace. Finally I would not name Danny Kedwell in the eighteen man squad tomorrow, I rather Danny Kedwell got himself fully fit and then we name him in the squad, I am also travelling to tomorrow's game via car as there is no Supporters Coach for our away trip to Bristol City - a point tomorrow is still a decent point but if we can match the result we got at Ashton Gate last season then I will be delighted - COME ON YOU GILLS!!!!!!
Ok, Ok complete transformation, plan C... Nelson Hewitt Davies (replaces the tired Barrett) Legge Borrowdale (replaces the tired Martin) Lee (replaces the injured Harriman and Whelps) Smith Hessy Dack (replaces the dormant Weston) McDonald Bayo (Will be given Nando's as a half-time treat to see him through the next 45) Sub: grumpygit
Oh what a surprise my selections were wrong again... Gills: Nelson, Hewitt, Legge, Barrett, Martin, Gregory, Dack, Smith, Linganzi, McDonald, Akinfenwa Subs: Gills subs: Baxter, Davies, ***an, Hessenthaler, Lee, Weston, Pigott
Well you know what PT's like mate. You would have been right in at home if MA had still been in charge with all those years of experience.
No surprises here then. Only 4 clean sheets in 34 league games says it all really. Will Innes and Borrowdale stop the rot? By the time they settle in, will it be too late? A generous investment in the back four is a must for next season, regardless of who we might have to sell to get it.
Innes is injured so he's out, as for clean sheets we've had plenty! trouble is the wrong way we're struggling to score lately. but yes we've just scored.
