Not to be too flippant but...we are pretty much confirmed to be in League 1 next season During the summer then, it is more than likely that Mad Dog will be making some moves in the transfer window and it is our duty as fans to wildly speculate who we will sign and perhaps equally important who will leave the club. I will post my opinions below and am very interested to see who else you would like to see join and leave the club IN Gavin Tomlin - heard from a fair few people in January we had a 100k bid for him rejected by Southend (heard this from Southend fans as well) and with them missing out on the playoffs and him being a gills lad it would be likely therefore that we would try once again to lure him back to the Priestfield! (I think he only signed a 1 year deal with them in the Summer so he will be out of contract and available for a free!) Adebayo Akinfenwia - I know many people will groan when reading this but I really feel IF northampton miss out on promotion he will look for a move up the leagues and Gillingham could be a likely destination. If I remember correctly Aidy Boothroyd said in January that if he received the right offer for him he would sell him and I also think he is out of contract this summer after signing a 2 year deal with the cobblers post-priestfield. Marlon Pack - I know he was very strongly linked with Swindon and this is a very long shot but would enjoy to see him in the midfield. Hope we go in for him but I think this is possibly a bridge too far! Anton Robinson - Really impressed me whilst he has been here and will tear up league 1 in my opinion if we can sign him on a permanent deal. Honestly I would be quite surprised that if this deal was going to happen if it hadn't already been agreed price wise. A left back/ right back- Not really bothered who just someone who is naturally a defender that can fill in for Matt Fish or Joe Martin if one of them pick up a knock. Hopefully a championship club will release a decent young player the likes of Danny East and we can snap him up. Tommy Forecast - firstly let me apologise and offer to buy you a new beverage as I imagine so will have comically spat it out all over your computer screen with my statement but I think he may join as back up for Nelson as I really don't think anyone can take his Number 1 jersey and Allen seems to like Forecast. I know he has a reputation as poor goalkeeper but realistically how much have we seen from him? Only a few games and wasn't really that bad when he played. He is also nailed on to be released by southampton in the summer and we need another keeper as in the summer we will only have 1 keeper on the books. OUT Lewis Montrose- I quite like him but going forward he is only really a league 2 player and is he better than Lee, Allen Jnr, Robinson or Gregory? No. Jack Payne - Good player but I really think I'm missing something when I watch him if he wasn't young and from our youth academy I reckon he would struggle to get in the side at the moment! Let Posh give us some cash for him! Andy Frampton - Lets get this out in the open, I don't like Frampton as a player, whenever I watch him he works very hard but is just off the pace by a yard or two. Seemed to escape criticism last season despite being quite poor and really don't feel happy when he plays in the midfield above Gregory or Lee OTHERS Danny Kedwell - feel he may leave the club as I really don't think he fits Allens style of play being a bit too much of a typical 'target man' striker. I know he is a Gillingham fan and really appreciate his effort for the badge but just think if Allen got a half decent offer (50k?) he would let him go. Didn't put him the out section as this is the biggest long shot going and honestly I don't know if Allen would risk the wrath of the fans from getting rid of 'super' danny kedwell! Cody MacDonald - Couldn't really leave him out! I would love to see him come back but something tells me it is far too perfect for him to sign for us in the summer. I know Coventry are in all sorts of trouble and may have to sell but something tells me he might go elsewhere :L. Over to you...
I think we may sign the lad that Notts County have recalled from Torquay, Labadie. Scored lots of goals for the Gulls (glad he's not playing Saturday). I'm sure we'll go for Cody, but depends how much Coventry will let him go for. I see he's warming the bench for them again, but he,s still got a year left on his contract. Do we spend big on him, and have a reduced budget for anyone else? I believe we need two strikers,perhaps one who can play wide, so probably 3 or 4 players overall will do, depending who leaves.
gfclukey Don't worry about incurring wrath ( Danny Kedwell ). In an age when loyalty in football means very little, you have to be realistic about each player's ability & worth. I have been disappointed by Kedwell ( except over the last 3 or 4 games ). Too many times his first touch has been poor & for a central forward his tally ( other than from penalties ) has been low. I have appreciated his increased activity over the last few games - but I don't think he is good enough for L1. We cannot afford sentiment to get in the way of this fact. We do need a more natural striker - in the mould of Cody - who can make goals for themselves. I would be surprised if our defence will have the same success in L1 as achieved this season, and our goals scored is not excessive for a team at the top ...... although this may have something to do with the comparitive lack of midfield creativity ( & our hoofball style which prevailed for too long during the season ). In the last few weeks we have largely abandoned the hoofball we had adopted and our midfield has rediscovered some great form - especially Whelpdale - and we have been far more creative of goal scoring chances than in mid season ( unlucky not to score several more ). I have been greatly impressed with the development of Fish & Martin ( when he goes forward ). I agree we need cover for them - but another quality mid fielder would be handy.
I agree with your views on Kedwell I feel people would of got on his back this season if he wasn't Danny Kedwell - Gillingham Fan. Think the whole strike force needs to be restructured as with Kedwell having been quite poor, Burton getting to an age where he physically can't play Saturday Tuesday regularly and Birchall seemingly never truly recovering from his injury (very Simon King-esque) and only playing very rarely. Know this won't be popular or really feasible but I wouldn't be disappointed if we completely got rid of all our strikers and replaced them with 4 new strikers (McDonald, German, Tomlin and Bayo?)
Some width wouldn't go a miss in the summer as I feel this season transfer wise we have been too fixated on trying to iron out flaws in the centre and slightly neglected wide players. However would you put Barcham in the team above Whelpdale, Weston or Dack?
Outs: Montrose - End of his contract and can't see him being kept on. Frampton - Personally I'm quite happy with him in the team now but Gregory's improvement and the fact League One is more a footballing league may force Mad Dog's hand to let him go. Maybe Outs: Payne - I would love to keep him, might be more possible if Peterborough do get relegated but they have been in good form of late. If not we should cash in, will be good to see him thrive in a league where his full potential can be shown. Ins: A new left winger. Give some competition for Weston, especially as he may be used more as a striker next season. Versatile defender - Preferablly a full back that can cover both right and left like Palmer used to. Also if they could play holding midfield may also be good competition for Gregory. Striker - Hopefully Cody McDonald, if not then perhaps a young striker from West Ham/other Prem teams either on a season loan or a permanent. Test them at League One, might be able to thrive at that level. Only have to look at Febian Brandy and Jordan Obita for current youg prem starlets plying their trade in league one.
Looking at the comments re Tomlin, not quite sure why we would need him when we have Weston. I would say that both players appear identical in strength and ability, the only difference maybe is that Tomlin might be slightly more focused. Although the fitness has improved under MA, I just wonder sometimes if something can be done about the concentration levels of certain players (Burton/Weston). Maybe that is just striving for perfection. Weston also should be up front not down the wing. Which then leads me into the next aspect of Cody. Although I am disappointed for the player that he cannot be part of our promotion party, do we really need him? Of course it is a great joy to watch him banging in goals for Gillingham FC but I'm not convinced we do if we were to switch Weston, plus not forgetting our other young prospect Bradley Dack. Then I see Barcham is mentioned, with respect maybe we are just living in the past. Give Joe Martin his free role down the left we can always switch Weston or Lee in front of him when required. Now to Keds, everyone has an opinion on him and that includes me. Don't get rid but put him in midfield, what a great workhorse he is and still from that position he can get you goals. The last two games has seen some superb goal keeping to deny him his goals from open play. Maybe it is just damn fate for Danny but when you are standing behind the Fleetwood goal watching the ball go into the corner of the net, you have to ask how the keeper got down to that. So where do the improvements need to come. Sadly I do not think Charlie Allen is making his mark of late but it would not be fair to say he should go due to a dip in performance. I hear the moaners around me at games, so that does not help because it focuses my attention more on him. However, he is not the player that he was earlier in the season. It appears some of frailties lay around midfield, maybe forget the money and bring Jack Payne back. Although I would not want him if it made him unhappy. It is going to be an interesting pre season that's for sure, because in truth I do not have a clue where the changes might take place and how can we know, because after all this is a promotion winning side.
joe Martin - so far as failed to sign a new contract which ends in the summer Cody McDonald - will obviously hope to sign him Anton Robinson - so far this season he has looked really good so If we could sign him on loan But In my opinion the defence is fine it is just attacking options which need to be sorted out cause kedwell burton birchall and Weston are simply not going to be good enough IF we go up Also remember we have ALPT of money
Agree with gfclukey about Gavin Tomlin and Josh Labadie. Would be a couple of good ins. I also would like Cody to come back here. But can't see any way we would want or need Bayo again. And don't think Marlon Pack is all he's hyped up to be. Personally I don't want to start nominating players to ship out. This is a squad that will hopefully secure our first title for 50 years. They will all end up in my mind as Gills legends. The only exceptions to that are the two lads that are currently out on loan. Jack & Lewis. Not that I want to see them go, just that I think the Club has already decided that Jack will be sold, and Lewis will be released. I like the call made above re:Keds. I think my views on Keds are well known. I rate him highly. Maybe a spot as the forward midfielder would be ideal for him in div1. Always running and harrying the opposition, and would probably still get 8-12 goals per year from there. Otherwise alongside Cody. I think Deon also stays for his class alone. Will be even better in div1 imho. Goalkeeper? If Nelson stays fit we won't need another. So maybe keep Tommy anyway. We might also go for this Liverpool youngster that we have on loan. Youssef?
henrygills - I must admit I can never keep up with length of contracts and loan signings, so if we are discussing this subject now, it would be good if someone could put a list up. I might have an old list somewhere but if anyone can oblige with a new one that would be good. Also include who is actually on loan at the moment and when it expires. I really do struggle sometimes to keep up with the ins and outs. Anyway as for Joe Martin I know your all going to fall over when I say this but I would like to see him sign a new contract. I told my son that the other day and well the look I got!
Have to agree about Forecast, Saints will release him this summer and I cannot see a higher level club taking a punt, if he is happy at the club and happy to take the wage then why not bring in him as a permenant backup. In credit to him he has not looked awful when we have seen him, could not replace Nelson in a month of Sundays but a keeper is a strange thing to be, he might be very happy to play second fiddle and be on the team sheet week in week out rather than dissapear to the non league or sit as a teams 3rd or 4th choice. Cody back would be a coup, all depends on Coventrys cash flow, if they stay so heavily in the red then a slightly insulting offer of hard cash may well make the decision impossible to say no to. In my eyes Kedwell would make a good League 1 attacking midfielder, the strength is there and he would still create the odd goal on his own but I cannot see him staying as a striker. To read MA's mind with signings though is downright impossible! I do have a gut feeling that the reason we did most of our business with free agents and loans was to hold the cash for a league 1 campaign rather than bring in a bunch who could get us there but not fight once we arrived. Outs? Montrose, Payne, Frampton, Birchall and my two left fields, Lee and Weston.
Can't see lee or Weston going. The others are certainly likely to see the door. I think a winger a striker and a keeper. Plus the all encompassing defender or maybe 2 defenders for multiple position. However as has been said MA is unpredictable and if a player is avaliable the betters the squad even if we not need them he has a tendency to bring them in
I know for certain that at the moment the loan list is as follows Anton Robinson from Huddersfield till the end of the season Tommy Forecast from Southampton till the end of the season Danny East from Hull City till the end of the season Harry Grant from Sheffield Wednesday till the end of the season (youth loan) Yussuf Mersin from Liverpool till the end of the season (youth loan) As for the out of contract players I haven't got a clue but seem to remember Allen signed quite a few contracts around Christmas time but surely there will be more than Martin out of contract? (Just remembered that Burton is also out of contract this summer)
I would not really want Forecast to come back, I would rather a young back up, someone who is here for the future like we did with bringing in Gazzaniga as it would be good to see another young keeper, Forecast is not good enough so I would not want to see him come back. He isn't that young and he hasn't played that much and there is a reason for that and that is that he isn't good enough, he would be lucky to play for a team in Blue Square Premiership so I would be gutted if he come back next season. Anyway this is what I think it will be. IN I don't think there will be too many players that have been here before, too many player mentioned have either played for us before, or are on loan, I think Martin Allen will be looking at some different players, so I am not sure if Tomlin will join us even if he does leave Southend as we may have our eye on other players (Likely to be from Brentford, Bournemouth or Notts County) Cody McDonald- I think he may come back but it depends on if Coventry decide to let go of any of their players because where they are in a bad position financially the where they can't bring in anyone they may not want to let players go however this may also swing the other way and they may need to let people go as they can't afford to keep them and I would love it if he come back for a third time. Sam Saunders- I would not be surprised to see him join, he is a good player and he plays for Brentford so he fits the bill. Paul Hayes- I think there is a bit of a chance we could get him as he is on loan at Crawley from Brentford and we may look at him as he is a good player. Antonio German- I don't know if we will go for him yet, he will probably not get a new contract so he will be free to join us however will we look at better players, I wish he had stayed longer as I would have wanted to see more of him before making a proper judgement as to whether we should sign him. Charlie Sheringham- He is a Bournemouth player who is currently on loan at Dartford, he joined them from Dartford however he picked up a bad injury and missed over a year but he is back now but he is out of contract in the summer so we may look at him as I think he would be a good backup. Alan Judge- He is one of the top players at Notts County and even though he is wanted by clubs in the Championship he got on well with Martin Allen and I have been reading that he said that he helped him become the good player that he is after taking him to Notts County. He is out of contract in the summer and looks set to leave as he is not happy with how they sack a lot of managers at the club so maybe we could have a chance of getting him as he is someone that Martin Allen gets on with and his influence could help bring him to the club and if that happened then that would be an amazing signing. Alan Sheehan- Signed by Martin Allen at Notts County and he is out of contract in the summer, he also played for him at Leicester so there is a chance of him signing. I think he also plays left back and if Martin leaves there is a chance he could replace him. Anton Robinson- I hope he does get signed, he is a great player and I think he could be an important signing, I hope we do go for him. I think there will be a couple that we have not thought of and I can't really think of any others at the moment who he would sign. Out I don't think there are many to mention, this squad have been brilliant and it would be out of order to mention many to go after all they have done so I will mention the ones who we know are highly likely to leave. Lewis Montrose- I think he will not get a new contract because why would we loan him out if he was still in the plans and with his contract up at the end of the season I don't think he will be staying, I think he will go to another League 2 club. Jack Payne- Sadly I think he will go to Peterborough, I really like him but we knew this time would come. I don't know who else will go, I am not sure if Martin Allen will let go of Frampton as he likes him and he has had him before so he has a past with Frampton so he may stay on for another year and he has done well this year so he does deserve it. Not sure about Adam Birchall as he may go but other than the ones mentioned I am not sure who else will go.
Not sure who we will sign let's be honest none of us have a clue. However Kedwell, Birchall and Burton should all go. Kedwell Gills fan or not is not Div 2 standard let alone Div 1 and the same go's for Birchall. Non league signings and that's where they belong. Burton has been a good servant this season but he's getting on and it shows. New frontline please.
I don't know whether MA will keep Forecast or not. Hoadie,you have obviously seen him play to have such a poor opinion of him, and I have only read what Southampton fans think, BUT,MA must think he's good as a back up or else he would have sent him back and kept Flitney or Hawkes. I would have thought it was worth keeping him for another year, as he may well be cheap, and don't forget the young keeper we've got from Liverpool is only on loan, and if we could extend the loan into next season they may well be able to call him back, then we would have to sign someone else. No-one is going to keep Nelson out of the side, so its not going to be easy to sign a keeper to sit on the bench,as Forecast seems happy to do. Any money the club have got or will get from Paynes transfer, must surely be spent on an established striker and an up and coming one,maybe German? There are probably one or two more areas that need improving than spending any sort of money on an up and coming keeper, whose probably not going to get a chance to show what he can do unless Nelson gets a bad injury, as Flitney did last season which gave Paulo his chance, but those opportunities don't come up that often, and then you are never sure if the youngster will prove to be any good. They are better off in the development squad until they get experience, and until then you are better off having an older keeper on the bench
IF we get promoted to league one this is what I would do in the summer: I'd bring in, an attacking midfielder, Anton Robinson would be a good signing for that position, two strikers, I'd like us to sign Cody McDonald and Adebayo Akinfenwa, I would also keep Kedwell and Burton, four strikers will do! As much as I'd like Adam Birchall to prove his worth I doubt he'll be good enough for league one. I'd probably sign East permanently as cover for Fish and Martin.Send forecast back and put the Liverpool goalkeeper we've got as number two to Nelson. The players I'd let go would be Montrose, Birchall, Jack Payne will probably go to Peterborough permanently. That's it, other than that I think the rest of the squad is league one standard! Up the Gills!
This piece says we are getting Cody back http://www.coventrycity-mad.co.uk/n..._to_gillingham_next_season_790737/index.shtml
