28 points

brb

CR250
Nov 20, 2013
83,744
79,797
113
Normally this time of year i start looking at the second half of the season run in, more so the points tally.

We cover it every year and i'm sure you all know by now, general rule of thumb is you need 51-53 points to survive this League.

Before the Pompey game, ie the half way stage (23 games) - I was thinking we are in serious trouble, sitting on 25 points. Add in to that mix the dramatic and to be perfectly honest, expected turnaround of Bradford, then things were not looking good. Afterall, who would relish going in to a game with Portsmouth on the back of current league standings.

However, as per the norm, we tore up the form book and don't ask me how, took all 3 points...

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vid...league-one/11591920/gillingham-2-0-portsmouth

While Bradford bravely stumbled in front of a mind boggling attendance at Sunderland.

Strange i've made two comments recently of note, more recently how poor our home record is and what the hell has happened to Fortress Priestfield and pry to that i made some concerning comments about Parker, how he has made me eat my words...maybe if i said we are going to get relegated...third time lucky, no such chance, so i will leave that one parked at the back of my brain and say we now need to do the second half of the season, and it must be no lessor than the first, otherwise, fancy results like today will not save us from going down.

Let's not forget how we started our first two league games this season, so the first game of the second half of the season needs to be treated with caution.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: grumpygit
Last season after 24 games we had collected 27 points so we are 1 point ahead of the game, we went on a 4 game winning run in January leaving us on 39 points with 18 games to go.
2017...W=6..D=9..L=9..GF=23..GA=26..GD=-3..points 27.
2018...W=8..D=4..L=12..GF=35..GA=38..GD=-3..points 28.

I think the attendance at Sunderland is a new league 1 record, the previous record I believe was from 2007/8 at Elland road, the opponents on that day were the mighty Gills. (yes I know that before the latest rejigged league, a level 3 match had a higher attendance)
 
  • Like
Reactions: brb
The 3 points were very welcome - but - being totally honest, Gills were lucky. Portsmouth's No. 9 should have had at least a hat trick of headers. I was surprised (and pleased ), that he was substituted --- I doubt if we'd have taken off Eaves just because he missed a few headers........And talking of substitutes - Gills were certainly helped by the Portsmouth defender being injured just after they had used all 3 of their subs.

On another day Gills would have been slaughtered before half time. We still struggled to make chances - and had little possession until Portsmouth went down to ten men but, I was pleased with the commitment ( which is all I really expect ) - so well done to The Gills, and thank you for the belated Christmas present ------

---- can you not cock up the start of the New Year by replicating last season's dreadful performance at Southend (( I have again been invited into a corporate box - but even that level of pampering wasn't compensation for what happened.))
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: brb
Last season after 24 games we had collected 27 points so we are 1 point ahead of the game, we went on a 4 game winning run in January leaving us on 39 points with 18 games to go.
2017...W=6..D=9..L=9..GF=23..GA=26..GD=-3..points 27.
2018...W=8..D=4..L=12..GF=35..GA=38..GD=-3..points 28.

I think the attendance at Sunderland is a new league 1 record, the previous record I believe was from 2007/8 at Elland road, the opponents on that day were the mighty Gills. (yes I know that before the latest rejigged league, a level 3 match had a higher attendance)
grumpygit - 'season's greetings' - thanks for the statistics - but - we know what is said about 'statistics and damned lies.' Yesterday's unexpected result proves the point !

You could have added that the last dozen or so games in this season's fixtures, are mainly against teams in the lower half of the division - and, it might be thought that these should be 'easier.' - but, this morning, Portsmouth fans wouldn't agree. I would say that games against the lower teams should be easier (( the teams at the bottom are there because the teams are not good !)) - However, The Gills proved what might happen - so nothing should be taken for granted.... we need to approach every game with 100% commitment - and hope for a bit of luck. The points should then take care of themselves. The commitment against Portsmouth should be enough to gain 55-60 points in total ---- we'll see ( especially when we don't have Tom Eaves )
 
Last season after 24 games we had collected 27 points so we are 1 point ahead of the game, we went on a 4 game winning run in January leaving us on 39 points with 18 games to go.
2017...W=6..D=9..L=9..GF=23..GA=26..GD=-3..points 27.
2018...W=8..D=4..L=12..GF=35..GA=38..GD=-3..points 28.

I think the attendance at Sunderland is a new league 1 record, the previous record I believe was from 2007/8 at Elland road, the opponents on that day were the mighty Gills. (yes I know that before the latest rejigged league, a level 3 match had a higher attendance)
Think is a record for all seater.
 
The big difference between the teams at the top and bottom is being consistant. There will always be some surprising results now and then. Gills are a bottom half team.
 
grumpygit - 'season's greetings' - thanks for the statistics - but - we know what is said about 'statistics and damned lies.' Yesterday's unexpected result proves the point !

You could have added that the last dozen or so games in this season's fixtures, are mainly against teams in the lower half of the division - and, it might be thought that these should be 'easier.' - but, this morning, Portsmouth fans wouldn't agree. I would say that games against the lower teams should be easier (( the teams at the bottom are there because the teams are not good !)) - However, The Gills proved what might happen - so nothing should be taken for granted.... we need to approach every game with 100% commitment - and hope for a bit of luck. The points should then take care of themselves. The commitment against Portsmouth should be enough to gain 55-60 points in total ---- we'll see ( especially when we don't have Tom Eaves )

Always, seasons greetings to you, but just to use more stats as you like them so much...

last 10 league games overall...
Gillingham...7th.
last 8 games overall.
Gillingham...15th.
last 6 games overall.
Gillingham...7th.
last 4 games overall.
Gillingham...6th.

The above form guide shows us to be doing better than our league position shows, just a shame we had a poor start to the season.
 
So when the club says it looks for progress year on year I assume this is what they mean? This time next season we would have accrued another point by now. Happy days. <laugh>
 
  • Like
Reactions: brb
Always, seasons greetings to you, but just to use more stats as you like them so much...

last 10 league games overall...
Gillingham...7th.
last 8 games overall.
Gillingham...15th.
last 6 games overall.
Gillingham...7th.
last 4 games overall.
Gillingham...6th.

The above form guide shows us to be doing better than our league position shows, just a shame we had a poor start to the season.

We've lost both games since you wrote this and we are now one point off relegation <laugh><ok>
 
Anyone seen @alwaysright ?

or is he still arguing with the lino at Southend that the ball crossed the line <laugh>
brb ( and all) -Happy New Year.
I've been busy - going ( unwittingly ), to pantomimes. I take it you've seen the ridiculous goals ( at least the first two ), against Doncaster --- circus style defending ! --- as for Southend - - at least I stayed to the end ! ( unfortunately The football brain of The Gills switched off before the final whistle ! )

The effort against Southend was better - but the game lacked real quality --- that's not to say that Eaves shouldn't have buried two glorious first half chances. In truth a draw would have been a fair result - but - ask Portsmouth fans what they thought a few days earlier.

GOAL or NO GOAL
? -- The referee ( Keith Stroud - NOT a favourite with Gills fans ), said he couldn't give the goal, because neither he or the linesman were able to see if the ball crossed the line. I understand that statement - but I was a bit disappointed - because the effort by the team deserved a point...... From my elevated position in the 'box', I am sure the ball had gone over the line - and had to stifle my celebrations ( I was heavily outnumbered by Southend fans in the same 'suite' (your description - not mine ).............. and then there was the nonsense of goal No.2 --- the less said the better.

I was disturbed by the lack of Gills fans. Only 518 bothered ( 519 if you count me ). This was probably the lowest following for this fixture in all the years I have gone to Roots Hall. I would think that we should have expected at least double the number -- but -- I expect people remembered our wonderful display against Doncaster.........

Lovell's team selection ( at times ), still puzzle me. No Charles-Cook in the squad - and he brought on Rees (waste of space ), instead of Oldaker. ..... and - apparently, Lovell can't wait to extend O'gilvie's loan - claiming him to be an " excellent "player !

Eaves worked extremely hard - it's a pity his finishing let him down. If / when he goes, we will notice his absence - and it doesn't bode well for a relegation struggle if he leaves this month......

..... and I don't think we'll have much chance of winning the FA Cup without Eaves (( but that will only be a shame for about 5000 Gills 'paying customers', in a crowd that I believe has got a whole lot smaller because of the last two results.. Do I stick my neck out and dare say under 6000 ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: brb
brb ( and all) -Happy New Year.
I've been busy - going ( unwittingly ), to pantomimes. I take it you've seen the ridiculous goals ( at least the first two ), against Doncaster --- circus style defending ! --- as for Southend - - at least I stayed to the end ! ( unfortunately The football brain of The Gills switched off before the final whistle ! )

The effort against Southend was better - but the game lacked real quality --- that's not to say that Eaves shouldn't have buried two glorious first half chances. In truth a draw would have been a fair result - but - ask Portsmouth fans what they thought a few days earlier.

GOAL or NO GOAL
? -- The referee ( Keith Stroud - NOT a favourite with Gills fans ), said he couldn't give the goal, because neither he or the linesman were able to see if the ball crossed the line. I understand that statement - but I was a bit disappointed - because the effort by the team deserved a point...... From my elevated position in the 'box', I am sure the ball had gone over the line - and had to stifle my celebrations ( I was heavily outnumbered by Southend fans in the same 'suite' (your description - not mine ).............. and then there was the nonsense of goal No.2 --- the less said the better.

I was disturbed by the lack of Gills fans. Only 518 bothered ( 519 if you count me ). This was probably the lowest following for this fixture in all the years I have gone to Roots Hall. I would think that we should have expected at least double the number -- but -- I expect people remembered our wonderful display against Doncaster.........

Lovell's team selection ( at times ), still puzzle me. No Charles-Cook in the squad - and he brought on Rees (waste of space ), instead of Oldaker. ..... and - apparently, Lovell can't wait to extend O'gilvie's loan - claiming him to be an " excellent "player !

Eaves worked extremely hard - it's a pity his finishing let him down. If / when he goes, we will notice his absence - and it doesn't bode well for a relegation struggle if he leaves this month......

..... and I don't think we'll have much chance of winning the FA Cup without Eaves (( but that will only be a shame for about 5000 Gills 'paying customers', in a crowd that I believe has got a whole lot smaller because of the last two results.. Do I stick my neck out and dare say under 6000 ?

I'm curious with the constant situation of disappearing players. I can only assume RCC is injured, i believe he adds that winning formula to the squad and without him we have more tendency to lose.

I think a lot of the Cup tickets would have already been sold before recent results, so hopefully will be a decent gate, although i know Cardiff supporters don't seem to be putting much emphasis on this stage of the cup, so unsure of their numbers.
 
Since i created this thread, we have only gained another 3 points out of a possible 12. Now our cup exploits are over hopefully we can concentrate on turning this around.

The gulf between us and a league a step up was obvious to see yesterday, which concerned me more than the cup match itself. In the first 45 minutes we couldn't even get out of our own half, so much so, even the Swans keeper was leaving his box the collect the ball.

Fears of a double score beating were on my mind as the hosts made it look like a stroll in the park. Thankfully in the second half we came out to play and were hopeful of an equaliser at a short point in the game. However, it wasn't to be and more a cup dream, when Swansea's third wrecked the back of the net.

So where does this leave us....

A difficult few months ahead, and certainly no where near building a team for a step up. That gulf is frighteningly great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: grumpygit
There definitely needs to be some sort of slight change whether it be new signings or something else to rejuvenate the current squad. Last year bringing in Reilly gave the side bit of a lift and we showed an immediate improvement. Previously the loan signings of Cody (couldn't miss him of course) in 2013 or the Peterborough lads in 2011 just gave some fresh impetus in those squads at that time. Let's hope the Welsh Wizard can magic up a couple more fresh faces this week to help give the squad and the fans a bit of a lift.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: grumpygit and brb
Will need to get 50 odd points to stay up. Lucky results in our favor yesterday. 3 points vital on Tuesday if we want to stay up. Biggest surprise yesterday was Wombles bottom of league 1 knocking out Big spenders West Ham. .It shows this is a tough league where anyone can beat anyone on their day. Still amazed we did double over Pompey
 
  • Like
Reactions: grumpygit and brb
We need 7wins for safety, on current form our win rate is 32.14% after 28 games, with 18 games to go we need a win rate of 38.88%.
I don't think we can achieve this without new players.
 
  • Like
Reactions: brb
Can someone please remind me NEVER EVER to create a thread like this again, the grand total of points since it's creation is....wait for it....drum roll....

5

Now i know @grumpygit normally likes to apply some mathematical genius to all this, which should make quite amusing reading...