As its all doom and gloom, lets have a run through the squad and try and work out who we thought was best under which Gills manager/Head Coach shall we? Won't be including the players who signed in the summer for Bonner or the youngsters as there is no comparison available.
1. Glenn Morris - The Cat is good under all managers. The finest of wines. Everyone Wins.
2. Remeao Hutton - Arguably better under Clemence as had more freedom? Certainly been poor this year under Bonner. Clemence Win.
3. Max Clark - Looked like a non league player when first signed under Harris and rightfully lost his place to Malone. Had an upturn in form under Clemence and started this season this well. Last 2 months fallen off a cliff. Clemence Win.
4. Conor Masterson - Solid defensively under Harris and added goals to his game under Clemence but defending did suffer. Crap this season. Harris Win.
5. Max Ehmer - Arguably our best defender under Harris, even when the going got tough stayed level headed. Lost his place for a while under Clemence but when he returned we solidified. Crap this season. Harris & Clemence Win.
6. Ethan Coleman - Took a while to earn his place in the side under Harris but once he did, never lost it after that. Continued good form under Clemence albeit started becoming more negative in his passing range. Has surgery last summer and hasn't found his previous form consistently enough. Harris Win.
9. Josh Andrews - Err? Came to us injured and only played 7 times under Clemence whilst scoring one goal. Looked like an improvement and more mobile Oli Hawkins. 14 appearances so far this season with again only one goal in the FL Trophy. Can't stay fit, looks less willing to chase balls or put his body about. Clemence Win (slim pickings for this one)
10. Jonny Williams - The enigma. Worked hard under Harris but was often played out Wide Left which clearly wasn't his best position at this stage in his career. Under Clemence he played regularly but again seemed to be chopped and changed where he would be played, at times looked our only good player (Wrexham away) and then others just as ineffective as the rest. Started like a train with his performance against Carlisle under Bonner and not really replicated since. Bit like Andrews its slim pickings but I guess Clemence Win?
12. Oli Hawkins - Great start linking up alongside Tom Nichols and then suffered Plantar Fasciitis for several months which perhaps cost Harris his job in the end as he was his main outlet. Once back in the side under Clemence he was very much played as a lone striker and often isolated due to having the turning circle of a dumper truck. Barely been fit under Bonner or if has, been played as much at CB as up front. Harris Win.
14. Robbie McKenzie - Often suffered due to his versatility under Harris in that he played a lot of games at either LB or RB for a long time due to the inconsistent form of others. Saying that he was my vote for player of the year when we were relegated rather than O'Keefe. Post Galinson his gametime became more limited under Harris although did start getting back into midfield often when Coleman was unavailable. Clem again didn't utilise Robbie much, majority of the time as the cover as the right side of a back three. Arguably since Bonner came in, he's been much back to his best playing in the position he's best at. Harris & Bonner Win.
17. Jayden Clarke - Only started really getting involved for Harris last season as an impact sub. Effectively thrown to the scrapheap by Clemence. Has thrived under Bonner with regular gametime and backing to play forwards. Bonner Win.
22. Shad Ogie - Looked like a revelation when first signed under Harris. Errors started creeping into his game under Clemence. Started the season well during Masterson's spell injured but since Conor has returned, Shad's own performances have worsened and now is probably our most Jekyll & Hyde defender we have, echoing David Tutonda from a couple of seasons back. Harris Win.
25. Jake Turner - Started shakily and took time to try and force himself as a Number One keeper. When he did finally get a chance to displace Morris under Harris he earned the shirt with regularly good performances. Continued to be number One under Clemence and continued good shot stopping ability but his distribution proved to be much more of an issue due to the time he'd take over whether to kick or throw out. Been a victim of multiple injuries this season but has fallen down to being 2nd choice after breaking his nose against Bromley. Harris & Clemence Win.
38. Tim Dieng - Again was a big improvement to the midfield when he signed under Harris. Continued injury problems has tarnished his time in Kent under all three managers. Has always looked a goal threat under all but has proven to be incredibly inconsistent under both Clemence & Bonner. Harris Win.
So we have 5 Wins outright for Neil Harris. 4 Wins outright for Stephen Clemence with only 1 outright for Mark Bonner. We then had 1 Harris & Clem Win, 1 Harris & Bonner Win & 1 Everyone Win.
What was the point of all of this? Frankly I've forgotten since I started typing so could be all drivel but enjoy the debate.
1. Glenn Morris - The Cat is good under all managers. The finest of wines. Everyone Wins.
2. Remeao Hutton - Arguably better under Clemence as had more freedom? Certainly been poor this year under Bonner. Clemence Win.
3. Max Clark - Looked like a non league player when first signed under Harris and rightfully lost his place to Malone. Had an upturn in form under Clemence and started this season this well. Last 2 months fallen off a cliff. Clemence Win.
4. Conor Masterson - Solid defensively under Harris and added goals to his game under Clemence but defending did suffer. Crap this season. Harris Win.
5. Max Ehmer - Arguably our best defender under Harris, even when the going got tough stayed level headed. Lost his place for a while under Clemence but when he returned we solidified. Crap this season. Harris & Clemence Win.
6. Ethan Coleman - Took a while to earn his place in the side under Harris but once he did, never lost it after that. Continued good form under Clemence albeit started becoming more negative in his passing range. Has surgery last summer and hasn't found his previous form consistently enough. Harris Win.
9. Josh Andrews - Err? Came to us injured and only played 7 times under Clemence whilst scoring one goal. Looked like an improvement and more mobile Oli Hawkins. 14 appearances so far this season with again only one goal in the FL Trophy. Can't stay fit, looks less willing to chase balls or put his body about. Clemence Win (slim pickings for this one)
10. Jonny Williams - The enigma. Worked hard under Harris but was often played out Wide Left which clearly wasn't his best position at this stage in his career. Under Clemence he played regularly but again seemed to be chopped and changed where he would be played, at times looked our only good player (Wrexham away) and then others just as ineffective as the rest. Started like a train with his performance against Carlisle under Bonner and not really replicated since. Bit like Andrews its slim pickings but I guess Clemence Win?
12. Oli Hawkins - Great start linking up alongside Tom Nichols and then suffered Plantar Fasciitis for several months which perhaps cost Harris his job in the end as he was his main outlet. Once back in the side under Clemence he was very much played as a lone striker and often isolated due to having the turning circle of a dumper truck. Barely been fit under Bonner or if has, been played as much at CB as up front. Harris Win.
14. Robbie McKenzie - Often suffered due to his versatility under Harris in that he played a lot of games at either LB or RB for a long time due to the inconsistent form of others. Saying that he was my vote for player of the year when we were relegated rather than O'Keefe. Post Galinson his gametime became more limited under Harris although did start getting back into midfield often when Coleman was unavailable. Clem again didn't utilise Robbie much, majority of the time as the cover as the right side of a back three. Arguably since Bonner came in, he's been much back to his best playing in the position he's best at. Harris & Bonner Win.
17. Jayden Clarke - Only started really getting involved for Harris last season as an impact sub. Effectively thrown to the scrapheap by Clemence. Has thrived under Bonner with regular gametime and backing to play forwards. Bonner Win.
22. Shad Ogie - Looked like a revelation when first signed under Harris. Errors started creeping into his game under Clemence. Started the season well during Masterson's spell injured but since Conor has returned, Shad's own performances have worsened and now is probably our most Jekyll & Hyde defender we have, echoing David Tutonda from a couple of seasons back. Harris Win.
25. Jake Turner - Started shakily and took time to try and force himself as a Number One keeper. When he did finally get a chance to displace Morris under Harris he earned the shirt with regularly good performances. Continued to be number One under Clemence and continued good shot stopping ability but his distribution proved to be much more of an issue due to the time he'd take over whether to kick or throw out. Been a victim of multiple injuries this season but has fallen down to being 2nd choice after breaking his nose against Bromley. Harris & Clemence Win.
38. Tim Dieng - Again was a big improvement to the midfield when he signed under Harris. Continued injury problems has tarnished his time in Kent under all three managers. Has always looked a goal threat under all but has proven to be incredibly inconsistent under both Clemence & Bonner. Harris Win.
So we have 5 Wins outright for Neil Harris. 4 Wins outright for Stephen Clemence with only 1 outright for Mark Bonner. We then had 1 Harris & Clem Win, 1 Harris & Bonner Win & 1 Everyone Win.
What was the point of all of this? Frankly I've forgotten since I started typing so could be all drivel but enjoy the debate.
