A mere paying supporters view from the Medway Stand on Saturday 4th August 2012, which saw the visit of Championship side Charlton Athletic for a pre-season friendly at Priestfield. Two weeks to go before the new League Two season gets under way, so this was probably my last personal chance to get a look at our Gills side under the new management of Martin Allen. I arrived at the ground ten minutes before kick off to take to my seat, so was a bit unsure what the line up was going to be for today’s game. Players that were of particularly interest to me were Adam Birchall, who despite being a new signing in 2011, had missed the whole 2011-12 campaign through injury. Then there was our new keeper from Notts County, Stuart Nelson, who came in to replace the pre-season transfer to Southampton of Paulo Gazzaniga. Two other players of interest to me were loan signing and defender, Tom Flanagan a 20 year old from MK Dons and striker Ben Strevens from Wycombe. Hence my slight disappointment at the starting line up when Birchall was on the bench, so my opportunity to see him was going to have to wait slightly longer. Gillingham were to start by playing towards the Brian Moore Stand in the first half (away fans). Danny Kedwell gave the Gills a 1-0 lead just before the half hour mark, which up until that point seemed a pretty much balanced performance by both sides. The Gills back four of Fish, Flanagan, Davies and Martin, played the ball out neatly from the back and thankfully it appears the adopted approach of Hessenthaler hoof ball was not to be seen. Which brought Tom Flanagan in to my sights, as a confident young defender who did not disappoint against a somewhat lack lustre Charlton side. Connor Essam was missing from the team and I can only make assumptions that was due to a knock against Dover, although if fit, I would expect to see him in the starting line up for the first home league game of the season. The Gills were not to have it all their own way though, when after Keds goal, Stuart Nelson for Gillingham had to stand tall against Bradley Wright-Phillips in what should have been a certain equalising goal. Nelson did little wrong between the Gills sticks, although some question remains over the odd kick out, I wished keepers would just play it from the back. The only thing I cannot remember seeing Nelson tested with was some long range shots, as with the greatest of respect the Addicks were that disappointing, that is despite them fielding much their strongest side with one or two exceptions. Ben Strevens did not get my applauds in this game, despite some early confidence with Kedwell appearing to remain lonesome up front at times, waiting for deliveries that seemed to bypass Strevens through no fault of his own. Maybe my lack of tactical knowledge, means I was missing something. Danny Jackman’s appearance in the second half seemed to throw more life in to the Gills for attacking options, particularly when Jackman and left back Joe Martin who had come forward down the wing combined. Will the new season start with wing-backs or some newly signed wingers is a question on my mind. Player of the match for me I found difficult as a selection, on the first half performance I would have given it to Jack Payne, with thoughts of relief that no possible transfer materialised for him. However, for overall contribution throughout the game, my choice went to Chris Whelpdale . Just over ten minutes before time, I got my long awaited chance to see Adam Birchall take to the Priestfield turf. You really cannot judge a player in ten minutes, other than to say he is a player who will certainly be keeping opposition defenders busy and if they just give him just one opportunity he will be pulling the trigger. Now without appearing impolite, Martin Allen in the dugout looks like he needs to be joining in the player’s fitness regime but I am not going to be putting MadDog to any personal challenge on that front because I do not think I could handle his bite. Early signs of what Martin Allen has done to the team look good and in all honesty I think the start of the new campaign against Bradford, will give us a much tougher but hopefully rewarding challenge. A quick mention for the Charlton fans that turned up today, I have not seen or heard any official figures but there must have been 1,000 of them and at an extraordinary £15 entrance fee for a friendly, they were not really rewarded for their loyal showing. Final mention goes to the new Gills kit I accept it for what it is on our Centenary of Gillingham Football Club but red? I got confused when the two sides came out. https://twitter.com/brb_gfc
Hello Lenny, if you think that is unbelievable you need to go and check out the Charlton board and their thoughts on his healthy midrif. Did he not say that he would not make the players do anything he would not do himself, or did I just think that one up?
no you are dead right brb, infact i remember allen saying on talksport radio that he had agreed with all the playing staff that he would lose a bulk of his lard or he would have to pay out money to them if he didn't lose his waste line after a few days. he said he would lose it by bike riding each morning...i take it he didn't keep to his word then
