Some good news with players returning, disastrous news if Graham fails his fitness test. Time that Coyle and Willock had a start to inject some creativity. https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2020/december/preview--bristol-rovers-v-gills/
I would rather not risk Graham if we are concerned about his injury, so much so that we are accessing it at the last minute. As the season currently stands this game has little importance when measured against the rest of the season. So rest him, and make the others pull their weight after that disgraceful showing on Saturday. If Medley is back, stick him on the wing and Oglivie at CB. Then if Graham is out, stick Coyle in there, does that work tactically or would you do it differently?
I make you right on Graham. As for the rest we lack invention, teams have caught on to our long diagonal ball for Oliver, that is one reason for our low possession stats, we keep losing the ball. That is why I would like to see Coyle and Willock given a chance, two players who run with the ball and attack the defenders head on. Defenders hate it when the ball is kept on the ground at the feet of a skillful player, stick the ball in the air and they can use their head/height to maximum advantage.
The only real team changes are from injury. Coyle, Willock, Eccles, Woods, all on the bench, so much for shaking things up after the weekend.
I didn't see the game the tonight, but quietly pleased to know that.. 1. Oliver got the two goals. 2. As gioblues has remarked, Bonham kept a clean sheet. 3. Also won without our star player Graham in the line up. So Saturday I will tune back in as we are up against an old foe, Swindon, and if the guys respect the badge on that shirt, you do not lose to the Swine! Hopefully Graham and Medley will both be fit enough to return, unless of course, someone can tell me of tactics that may have worked differently tonight, with the players that were available.
Didn't watch but followed the social media updates. Seemed that we reverted back to the diamond system with McKenzie taking the sitting role, Robertson & Dempsey doing the engine room roles and Samuel just behind the two big boys up top. I did get quite a bit of satisfaction on beating Rovers after so many of their fans bragged about signing Hanlan & Ehmer from us in the summer. Looks like their choices are going great for them right now.
You are right, revenge was sweet that was for sure. Normally I'd have been all over this game like a rash, especially after what happened in regards to Hanlan & Ehmer as you mentioned. Sadly Saturday wound me up no end, so it became a game of expectation, thankfully the lads did the job, and that killed two birds with one stone for me. I'm guessing now the gaffer has some difficult selection choices to make against Swindon, but that's a beautiful place to be when line ups become competitive. Anwyay, before I bore you all to death, has everyone noticed we've already got 20 points on the table, so that's about 1.5pts per game, with 26 games to play, so even if we only continue at current season form, we will avoid relegation*.....soz, I just said that word*, didn't i
I thought I was wasting another £10, feeling smug now though. Overall I was impressed with most players, Bonham and O'Conner gave me a few worries.
We are five points and five places better off than we were at this stage last season. Still plenty to come from this team and if some consistency can be found in the side going through Christmas and in the new year, there's no reason we can't be looking up than over our shoulder.
Yes that's 10 pts from possible 12. Certainly going in the right direction. Think Mackenzie has made a big difference in the holding roll which in turn releases Dempsey to go further forward and of course Graham aswell when back.
