I've not attended either of the first two away friendlies but it certainly is a promising start to pre-season: Starting with a 1-3 win at Folkestone with goals from Keds, Brennan Dickenson and Doug Loft...http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/folkestone-v-gills-20082/? The second match yesterday finished 0-2 to the Gills against Bromley, Keds opening the scoring from the spot and with the 6ft left winger Dickenson again getting on the score sheet for the second, I'm looking forward to seeing him in the new season proper... http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/friendly-win-for-gills-20227/? We've had some disaster pre-seasons in the past, just got to hope we can remain injury free (I won't risk injuries...http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/article/taylor-on-pre-season-july-15-1759879.aspx?), so that PT can choose his best preferred starting eleven come the 9th August at MK Dons. However, many more friendlies yet before the first league ball is kicked, so well done lads and keep up the good early efforts.
Kedwell seems to be starting well... Brennan also looks sharp. I wonder if there is a starting place for Cody these days....
Surely Cody has to be above Kedwell in Taylor's thinking? With Kedwell centre halfs eventually find a way to deal with him but Cody always manages to squeeze though any defence.
Depends on the system... Cody is better off the shoulder of the defenders bit Keds is more versitile. If you are looking for a target man plus another; Keds is the oly target man we have and looking at current form (albeit it early days) it has to be Brennan over Cody
Think Brennan will be used wide. Surely Cody is a shoe-in for a starting spot except maybe in some away games if we're playing just one up top. Doesn't matter if he scores heaps or none in our pre-season, so long as he gets through it unscathed. He is our tried and tested scorer. He should (and I think, will) start. One thing about these first two games I've picked up on. More than one fan has noted how quick both Dickenson and McGlashen are. Augurs well for our season.
Was impressed with McGlashen, He seems quick (compared to Folkestones defence anyway) I was happy with Lofts performance as well. The new signing look promising and a better start to preseason than last year, hope the preparations can continue.
Gills complete their third preseason friendly and successfully remain unbeaten in a 1-1 draw at Welling United, our goal coming from Antonio German in the first half. http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/article/welling-1-1-gills-july-19-1769849.aspx
Went yesterday, to briefly summarise we were quality in the first half. Kept the ball well, created chances and never looked in trouble (well apart from when borrow dale was near the ball) and could and probably should have been about 5 by half time, no exaggeration, yes German scored but he missed 4 other great chances along with one from kids and linganzi. Second half however, was terrible. We reverted to their style of play and didn't string 2 passes together, good job we know what Dack and loft can do because they were awful in all honesty. Cody was non existent, as was Dickensen. Probably say the young right back Romeo, was our best player in the 2nd half and Norris showed potential, a lot stockier than I thought he would be as well. Overall though it was good to watch and I feel that when Hess is in the team like the first half we control the ball so well. Mcglashan is a great outlet and looks dangerous all the time, really impressed with how Keds has come back as well, looked slimmer and held the ball well, shades of Bayo for the flick on for Germans goal as well. Egan looked very composed, as did Matt fish, I still however have massive question marks over Barrett, give me Legge all day, and I'm sorry but borrow dale is simply not good enough. Thinking that the 2nd half players all clearly had an off day means that I'm actually quite confident for the season on the overall performance, not saying playoffs or anything like that, but I think we will comfortably stay up. Looking forward to the Ipswich game now and the season even more.
Gills-man-Ant-Dog - thank you - great to get a summary from someone that went to the game. I've not done any preseason friendlies myself but over the three games things certainly seem to be taking a positive step in the right direction for next season. Overall the only real worry i have is the CB's. Davies appeared to get some less than favourable comments again, although i'm sure this is more a confidence thing. As hard as i can try to not look back on last season, we had one of the worst defensive records and with Barrett still in there and wearing the Captains armband, i just see loyalty to experience from the corridors within, because a few supporters commented on Hessy's reaction towards Davies and being publicly i ain't happy about that on fairness of balance, psychologically that can't be good on the guy. Surely though based on that and opinions from both sides of the fence, we have to bring someone else into this department. I don't know if Inniss is still available but if so, go get him.
Defence in General is still a concern I think, Barrett is not good enough for league 1, Legge is very hot and cold in terms of his performance, Egan looks good but has never done a whole season. Davies was always a favourite of mine but his confidence has been shot to bits, just continuously making mistakes. I think PT needs to go and get another centre half (unless Aaron Morris is being thought of there) and from next Saturday stop the 2 11's and focus on the squad that will be around against MK Dons.
Thanks Gills man Ant Dog - it is difficult for me not going to the preseasons but you more or less have confirmed my thoughts ie. Davies confidence is shot to bits. I'm not sure how you rebuild that, my first instinct is to say throw him in the deep end, first six games and make or break him. He didn't get much game time last season, so leaving him out is proven as not the answer but i would like to see the guy given another throw of the dice. Get the supporters off his back, get the touchline to reserve their comments for the dressing room and go from there. Why do i say the first six games, it is because supporters seem to be more amenable in the opening stages.
Fourth preseason friendly and another win for the Gills 0-4 at Princes Park German x 2 Norris Dickenson
interesting about German, i always have a simple thought in regards to what i call the weaker strikers ie not your Keds build. If you can't protect them with strength, give them pace. Maybe if there is more pace in the team, it benefits German. I've not been to the friendlies, only those that have, can answer that. No intention to rattle cages but early questions on Cody?...i'm teasing
Last year I watched all but one of the pre-season matches and it was obvious from those that we weren't in for a good season, tomorrow will be my first match this year and I'm hoping that the early results will reflect in a stronger performance against Ipswich. Whilst I don't expect us to play Ipswich off the park, I do expect us to at least show some fight and give them something to think about. When collecting my tickets this morning I asked about the new shirts, "we're hoping to get them in some time next month" was the reply. With several months having elapsed since the end of last season, with orders and money taken in advance, is it really so hard to get the shirts ready in preparation for the first game of the new season.
We lost 0-2 today at home to Ipswich Town...i'm hoping someone that went to the game will do a match report.
