Hello and welcome to the all new and improved Match day Hub which is now the official place for Gillingham fans, I decided to update this so that you will know where to go and chat before and during the game. This is the first match day hub for a league game so lets get talking! Just so you remember this is here to continue to replace the old match day thread and squad prediction thread which I used to run. This is the thread for the upcoming game, I always make sure I post it days before the game to give you a chance to chat and discuss the line up for the game. You can post your team predictions before the game, you may include the starting 11 plus the subs which you think will be in the team, no points awarded for your predictions it is just for fun, it allows you to start a healthy debate between each other about the team which we will play or what it should be. If you wish you can post updates freely about the game and chat between yourselves, you are also free to talk about other games bizarre or not. This is open to both Gillingham fans and also the opposition After the match I will allow you all to create a summary on this thread and I will also provide extra details on the game if they are required or if I want to point anything out. You can talk about what was good about the game and what could have been better. During the game I will update the score and the team sheets as soon as they are available, also at the end I will add the table to this thread as it stands.
I think the team will be the same or maybe 1 change, I have a feeling Martin will keep Essam on the bench sadly. I think he will go with Nelson Fish Flanagan Frampton Jackman Whelpdale (Not sure if he will play due to injury, If not we will see Dack I think) Lee Montrose Allen Kedwell Strevens Subs Forecast Evans Essam Davies Dack (if he plays I don't know who will be on the bench to replace him, maybe Miller) Burton (not sure if he has been cleared in time) Birchall There may be a change or two but I don't know, however one thing I have to say is that I feel there is a few gaps in the team regarding the depth of the side because if one or two get injured the bench will lack experience, it is a young side that can be good but also that is not always best, I feel that 2 players would complete the side for me that would be another midfielder and defender.
I think the team will be a bit different now after the two signings, probably this Nelson Fish Flanagan Barrett Jackman Whelpdale (if he is fit) Lee Montrose Weston (I believe he and Barrett will probably start however they may have to be subs as they may have a bit more to prove) Strevens Kedwell Subs Forecast Frampton Essam (I have a feeling Essam will be on the bench, I don't think he will start but I hope he will earn his place again, however Allen likes Davies so will he be on the bench?) Allen Dack Burton Birchall I am not fully sure what it will be as I have not put Martin on the bench and he may be on there or may start so where will that put Jackman and will Essam miss out on the bench. I also have a horrible feeling Birchall won't be on the bench and instead we will have just one striker on the bench, Burton.
think either of adam barrett or charlie lee will become captain from tomorrow. liking the look of the side now...forgetting our two wingback positions , hopefully ben strevens will come good, but just think what we could of been like with gavin tomlin in this side of ours brb.
I thought Barrett had one training session with the team on thursday but Weston hasn't? I think our starting lineup may be a little something like: Nelsen Fish Flanagan Frampton Martin Allen Lee(C) Jackman Whelpdale Burton Strevens Subs: Forecast Barrett Weston Birchall Essam Kedwell Dack I think Martin Allen has faith in Martin as LB but cannot justify dropping Jackman. Then again, MA has never been too predictable!
No team selection from me for this game, to many ifs and buts, new arrivals etc. So my future team selections will be based on what I see and of course with a little bit of personal bias.
I was not going ar first as I was going out with my friend but he had to go home due to the heat so I went and got my ticket I will write a review later. Let's hope for a good game.
Starting XI:Nelson, Fish Flangan Framton Martin, Montrose Allen Jackman Lee, Burton Kedwell. Subs: Forecast Davies Barrett Weston Payne Dack Strevens
Had a feeling Essam would not make the bench that is sad as it seems he has dropped down the pecking order let's hope he can work hard to gain a place because if he works hard on the training ground he will get back in the team at the moment I feel Martin likes Davies more, I will post a bit while at the game but I will write a lot when I get back.
Shame we don't get to see Birchall either he must still want to loan him out if so I hope he does it soon as we want to see him play soon.
Final score 3-1 Gills. Kedwell goal before half time followed by penalty just in second half. Bradford got one back through a pen before Myles Weston scoring late on to make it 3-1. Bradley Dack also hit the post in the last couple of minutes.
Just got back from the match, well played gills really impressed with the team and especially martin allen.
Well happy we won 3-1 and I know we can play even better we have a good chance this season, Kedwell was brilliant, I will post a review soon as I am trying to think about each player at the moment.
I thought it was a solid performance although our 2 centre halves looked very uncomfortable at times and too many clearances didn't make 30 yards. I sat behind the dugout and i have to say that I was impressed with Allen and his staff. They never stopped comunicating with the players and always encouraged. He clearly expects all 11 to do their jobs defensively as well as when we have the ball. I know it's early days but I am optimistic. Hess was a legend as a player and I know he loves the club but I found his tactics and approach to discipline frustrating in both his spells as manager.
Here is my review, I may add some to this match report Nelson 6- He did well caught the ball well kicking was good. Fish 7- Work rate was good was pleased with him and his passing, running caused problems for Bradford. Frampton 7- I think he did well his defensive work was good he seemed like he commanded the defence. Flanagan 5- I think he could do better, he got caught out a few times and looked a bit shaky. Martin 7- He got forward very well and was good, I think he proved why he was in the team today, yes just today (I only mean today BRB) Allen 6- He done well but he needs to work a bit more on passing. Montrose 7- I think he did well, he has got better and seems to look more confident Jackman 7- He was good today, it was tough for him with how physical Bradford are but he dealt with it well Lee 8- He was great today, created a lot for us and linked well Kedwell 9.5- Man of the match all day long, top class performance, shame he did not get a hattrick, I believe today's Kedwell is the real one Burton 7- He passed well and linked well but I think there is still more to come from him. Subs Payne 5- I did not see much of him, he did not appear as much in the game as normal. Dack 7- On the pitch for a small amount of time but I could see how good he was, shame he did not get a goal Weston 8- This lad is quality, his runs cause so much trouble and it is great to think what he could do for us, I did not think he would get many goals but by the look of it he may get 10. Overall it was a good game, for a first match of the season it was a good result and with the weather we done well as it was tough conditions for us to play in I may not have been playing but I am feeling the affects, I sat in the Medway stand front row the sun shining on me for all the game and I did not wear sun cream, I have to say I am Red just a shade lighter than our new kit! After today's result I have a good feeling for this season, it will be one for the history book.
By the way I heard that Hessenthaler was at the Ebbsfleet game against Wrexham, I have a feeling why but I may be wrong however I think he may be watching someone called Adrian cieslewicz, he is rated high, I hope he was watching him.
