Who from todays starting 11 will start next season. I doubt there will be more than 3 players. Think they could be Nelson Ehmar Hessy/ Wright if he stays. Dack and Egan will go to higher level. Loft Cody will also go. 2 loanies gone back. Dickenson not good enough. Edinburgh permenault signings have been poor only Jackson and Wright starters.
Inevitably Dack will be gone - and probably Egan ( the recent 'prolific' goal scorer ). Wright may go. I would love to keep Nelson - but wouldn't be surprised if he moved to somewhere better. As for the rest of them - well - let's be honest - they might be good enough to help The Gills in their quest to retain L1 status for 2017/18 - but I think that they'd struggle. I love the long throw that Jackson has got - but what's happened to his pace - and ability to go past the defender. Ehmer is at best an ordinary L1 central defender. Oshilaja isn't a right back - nor is Dickenson a LB - but I might keep him - to be played further upfield. Hessy as been inconsistent. He doesn't have the aggression of his dad, and has disappointed me that he hasn't matched the progress of Dack. Loft doesn't give enough over 46 games. Cody doesn't get help from his partners or hoofball. Norris is no better. I could go on - but -I'll just admit that we haven't got players of any great ability - and that I appreciate this fact 9 as long as they apply themselves with honesty ). If we are going to do any better in the future ,we'll need fairly serious money to invest in players - and we know how difficult it is to get that sort of cash. We will be getting funds from the sale of Dack and Egan. It will be a fairly good 'wedge' - we (SCALLY), needs to invest ALL of it on the right players to form a solid base upon which to build a platform for any future league success. I don't see investment happening to the aforementioned extent. I have stated yesterday, in another thread, that I hate myself for being alwaysbloodyright, and now I am fearing a relegation battle for next season ( and not necessarily a successful outcome ).
If we get 3million from selling Dack and Egan think only 750k will be used on new players . Need to balance the books, we lose over 1Millon a season if we dont sell anyone
Retained list; http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/article/gillingham-fc-retained-list-3106700.aspx
Deji Oshilaja@DejiOshilaja Sad To End The Season On That Note But Is Been A Pleasure To Play For @TheGillsFC. Fans Have Been Excellent And Iv Appreciated Your Support
Not surprised by Glash or Morris. McGlashan sadly didn't fit into JE's two formations despite the impact he brings. Morris is probably the best number 2 we've had in years, so much so it's probably worth more to him to go elsewhere to be someone's first choice. I'm disappointed by Loft and Dickenson being released. I'm actually one of the few who appreciated Loft and could see that he would try as hard as he could. No doubt he had ability but I think that he cared too much that he would often make stupid decisions and the regular ankle injuries probably made up JE's mind. Dickenson has improved dramatically over this season and I will be sad to see him leave. His ability to actually run at players and beat them aswell as put in a wicked cross dug out us out of a few holes this year. Defending wise though he probably wasn't up to it and is definitely more of a Left Winger than a Left Back. Egan will nigh on to leave but I imagine the rest will stay. We just need to improve on the areas that let us down this year including strength in depth.
If no one has any objections, I've pinned/stuck this thread for pre-season, so we can keep all the player news in one place for the forthcoming season 2016/17 - makes it easier to keep up todate with things. Maybe we could use this for transfers too, unless anyone objects and wants a separate thread for that. So unless anyone suggests otherwise I will move all player news to here from now (not past content). Thanks brb
Pegleg, you are not the only one who admires Loft. In my opinion he is the only one who is capable of playing at a higher level than League 1 and most of the best moments of this season have revolved around him with the best moment at Wigan when he set up Donnelly's headed goal. On the other hand he is a high earner has been red carded twice unnecessarily and may have Dennisoliitis so I recognise there is a case for him to move on. We need to reflect when we see what JED has lined up to replace him (a mature leader of youngsters who can captain). If JED has a plan all may be fine but when it comes to recruitment he has an awful lot to prove. So far as the others are concerned, Morris can feel let down, he was excellent at the end of last season and his distribution was far better than Nelson but he has not had a sniff this year which was foolish. I accept Nelson has been reliable this year but his understudy should have played a few games to avoid rustiness. Dickenson was likeable but not quite good enough at full back so it is no surprise to see him go and McGlashan just could not present the threat of early 2015. I can imagine Loft, Morris and McGlash returning with an away side next year and proving a point with the big win that finally seals the fate of hapless JED.
I am another that actually liked Loft and agree he maybe cared too much and went in too heavy on challenges. he reminded me of Adam Miller....a marmite player...you either loved or hated him...both tried the difficult pass! probably a high earner and too many injuries for JED to keep. JED has said this morning that Tom Hadler will step up to No.2 providing competition for Nelson as No.1
Big season with a lot of player movement. Edinburgh signings so far have been poor. Only Wright and Jackson normal starters. Need to get money from Dack sell as soon as possible so we can bring in better players than current squad. If we do start poorly cannot see any way Edinburgh can carry on after last 3 months of relagation form.
I am surprised that Dickenson has gone, Jed plays a wing back system and Dickenson in 21 starts, scored 1, assists 4, Garmston in 23 starts, scored 0, assists 0. I know people will now tell me that Dickenson can't defend but a wing back needs more than just defending, Jed needed to get the system right. If playing with wing backs the most successful system is with 3 CB's (the 6 games undefeated) 2 wing backs, 4 man midfield diamond and a lone striker with the forward point of the diamond (Dack) sitting just behind (not dropping deep as Dack was forced to do) With only 2 CB's the defence is left thread bare when the wing backs go forward, this is made even worse with a narrow midfield. I hope Jed replaces the loss of speed (Dickenson/McGlashan) as we have often been caught for speed over the last season. p.s. The money from any Dack sale will almost certainly go to pay off the director loans, little will remain for players.
Grim times ahead I fear and no promotion hopes at all for next season. I agree that JE will be on borrowed time for the first three months of the new season. I genuinely expect little more than mediocrity after the terrible end to this season. 17th place at best.
Billy Davis is on the market, he is a great manager, have worked with him on a number of occasions, great motivator, but would not get on with Scally
John Egan has now turned down the clubs offer and will be leaving Gillingham. Since taking over Jed has all but changed the entire team and backroom staff, the end of 2014/15 had the style and impetus from the gang of 4 to carry us over the line. 2015/16 started well but as Jed's influence took hold more and more, so the performances became worse and worse, I await with interest to see who will be coming in to turn his and our fortunes around.
I'm now starting to get worried by the vibes the outgoings are creating. I may have to reconsider my review for JE and for the first time ever admit I got it wrong. I assume no news on Cody yet?...I might as well go top myself (said in jest)
