I do not think this has already been done, so apologises in advance if it has... I would welcome people to post their selected Gills X1 for this season and please include five substitutions. In your selection you can include, loan players, this season transfer out players, currently injured players, basically any player that has pulled on a Gills shirt in a first team competitive game this season. For example you cannot include Adam Birchall because he has not featured in a first team competitive game this season, however, you could include the injured Barry Fuller. Once the thread gets going, I will come back and post my selection later but just for starters to give you an idea of players that can be selected, I will be including Luke Rooney and Frank Nouble.
More difficult a selection then it first appears with such a large number of varied appearances... Gazza Evans, Essam, King, Jackman C-Lee, J Payne, Obita, Nouble Kuffour, Tomlin Subs Flitney Fuller Framps Whelpdale Rooney
Cracking question that Roy and is likely to throw up some debate...I've gone with this and included my reasons why... 1 Ross Flitney I think over the course of the season Ross has been the stronger keeper. No doubt Paulo has made an instant impression on us and is a real talent for the future. But we have let in a lot of goals also and feel that Ross just edges it. 2 Barry Fuller He's missed the majority of the season and we haven't been able to successfully replace him. We tried with Lawrence, Lee and Evans and no one has really stepped up to the plate in that position. 3 Danny Jackman One of our best players and a massive influence. I would play him in midfield if it wasn't for the fact that I didn't want Martin anywhere near the team. A certain runner for POTY. 4 Charlie Lee Has been a tad disappointing when you think of the impact he had last season. Will certainly need to improve his discipline on the pitch but I think get him fit and playing in midfield and he is one of our most promising players 5 Connor Essam My vote for Young Player of the Year. Has only come into the fold of late but hasn't looked unfazed by the oppositon and I feel with a decent centre half alongside him will improve greatly. 6 Garry Richards Now, possibly one of the most difficult decisions was including Garry over Simon King. I've given it to Garry because of a particular spell at the start of the year in which he looked like our most competent and viable option in the centre of defence. Which in itself is saying something. 7 Frank Nouble Again, because of impact on the team and the glimpses of quality he showed upon his arrival. Sometimes had off/quiet games but always looked a threat and was happy to provide some width and frighten opposition with his pace. Shame he couldn't stay any longer. 8 Jack Payne Has been a little unlucky with injuries but is still one of our best assets and has been again this season. Needs to play every game and as I believe Hessy said before, we can build the team around him. 9 Danny Kedwell Hasn't been as profilic, especially from open play, as some may have wished for but not a bad season by all accounts. His desire to play for the club and his work rate cannot be denied. Give him another season at this level to crack on and I believe we can see more from him. Needs a partner alongside him to take some of the load off. 10 Jo Kuffour No brainer for the next two - Jo has gone off the boil recently (since he's been assured a more permanent contract....coincidence?) but the impact of his initial loan spell and the two goals at Crawley won't be forgotten and deserves his place. 11 Gavin Tomlin A class act and would just love to keep him. A bit sceptical when he arrived as his goal record for Dagenham was poor but came in and played with no fear and a touch of class. Think everyone would agree that he deserves his place despite his recent injury. 12 Simon King Has been fantastic since his re-introduction and is unfortunate to miss out..just. 13 Paulo Gazzaniga Similarly, was a close call but I don't feel he has done enough to de-throne Ross, just yet. 14 Luke Rooney Didn't really want to include him, if I'm honest. A petulant player who sadly didn't always give us his best this season, but we can't deny he has talent and was an exciting player to watch. 15 Chris Whelpdale I've only included him because of his recent form, he's come good in the last few weeks and has put in some improved performances. Similarly to Lee however he has been disappointing for the majority and not entirely lived up to the hype. 16 Curtis Weston For the cracking goal in the cup against Bournemouth and sending me into delirium away at Orient. Okay BRB this was much sodding harder than it looked...
This is the line up that would have got us promotion GK - Paulo Gazzaniga - Big kicks, great shot stopper. RB - Barry Fuller - As Tom Tom says, we have missed him, certainly cost us a couple of points him not being there. LB - Danny Jackman - Again would get into my midfield, but no other real atlernative. CB - Conner Essam - Potential is there. Needs experianced around him...Hence... CB - Matt Lawrence - If Hess would have kept him in the centre rather than at RB, then he would be the ideal foil for Essam Wing - Luke Rooney - Still feel we miss him, typical winger, exciting and frustrating in equal measure. Regular starter in the Swine side since he moved. Wing - Frank Nouble - Pace, big strong lad etc.. Something opposing defenders hate. M/F - Jack Payne - Solid and normally reliable. M/F - Charlie Lee - Sad that he hasn't had much chance to shine in what should be his best position. FWD - Gavin Tomlin - Shown more pace, energy and skill than any other forward in the squad. FWD - Danny Kedwell - Good for penalties, also does give 100%, but does need pace around him. Subs Ross Flitney Simon King Chris Whelpdale Danny Spiller Jo Kuffour
GK Gazzaniga RB Fuller LB Jackman CB Richards CB King LM Nouble RM Whelpdale CM Payne CM Lee ST Kedwell ST Tomlin Subs Flitney,Essam,Spiller,Rooney,Miller
GK Gazza RB Fuller CB King CB Essam LB Jackman RM Nouble CM Lee CM Spiller LM Whelpdale ST Kedwell ST Kuffour Subs: Flitney, Richards, J.Payne, Rooney, Tomlin
