Gillingham FC Forum

The first of two home games this week.After a good point at Oldham,it would be nice if we could get 4-6 points this week,but we`re probably playing our toughest League opponents so far on Tuesday Night.Peterborough have had a great start,and sit one point off the top of the League.I think we will need a great performance to win the game.Last season`s 2-2 draw was a good entertaining game,so hopefully this one is just as good.I`m expecting a defeat,but a win would be a great three points.

What Team will we play?

Well I guess were getting them at the right time, we might not have Kedwell but they have got three or four regulars out and could not beat that mighty power house of English football Notts Cty at the weekend, so fingers crossed and GO BIG BLUE.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/loft-set-to-return-23453/

Doug Loft has a very very good chance of starting against Peterborough United tomorrow night.

Josh Pritchard could also make his first full league start as well.

I think Gillingham will line up as follows.......................

------------------------------Bywater-------------------------------------
Davies--------------Egan----------------Hause--------------------Martin
------------------A.Morris------------Hessenthaler-----------------------
McGlashan-----------------------------------------------------------Loft
------------------McDonald--------------Norris---------------------------

Subs: G.Morris (GK), Legge , Linganzi, Pritchard, Dack, Dickenson, German

I think Gillingham will play 4.4.2 tonight, because Luke Norris has impressed as sub in the last two matches and he deserves to start alongside Cody McDonald in my opinion, Midfield looks to have the most competition for places and there is the temptation to play five in midfield, but I can see Jake Hessenthaler, Aaron Morris and Doug Loft all playing in midfield as Gillingham look to add some defensive nous to the middle of the park, Josh Pritchard isn't ninety minute fit and Doug Loft has just returned from injury so both players won't start tonight and I can see Bradley Dack and Brennan Dickenson being used as impact subs if Peter Taylor needs to freshen things up in the middle of midfield, neither player played particularly well against Oldham Athletic and they could both be dropped to the subs bench.

I think 4.2.3.1 would be the system that fits the players who are fit and available at the moment, but from what I have seen from The Oldham Athletic and Coventry City Matches we lack the confidence or belief to play this system effectively, the players were nervous on Saturday and kicked the ball long so they didn't make a mistake but Cody McDonald is never going to beat George Elokobi in the air so the ball just kept coming back, we might have to play 4.4.2 just so that Luke Norris can knock the ball down into Cody McDonald's path.

Thankfully Peterborough United don't have Britt Assombalonga up-front but they still have plenty of players capable of sticking the ball into the back of the net, Kyle Vassell has five goals already this season and he be the player Gillingham need to watch out for tonight, I gladly take a point against Peterborough United but a win would be superb - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!

I think if we go at them like last season at home then we will give them a good game,I hope we take the game to them.I find it hard to guess the Line up at the moment,but FOM`S Team could be right.4-6 points from the two home games would be a good points tally.

For some interesting facts and stats about the game, you can see them over on the stats forum: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1231

Well done the mighty Gills, up to 10th in the table playoffs here we come (cough cough). Listened to the game on the scrolls, did we have a shot on goal ?? Can not find any info on the stats, but it appeared we had most of the possession but we didn't seem to have a shot ??
Anyway a win is a win, who cares how we get them, makes me feel confident another 3 points should be on the board for Saturday , well done Big Blue Machine.

A very pleasing win against a very good side at this Level.Peterborough will be right at the top end of the table come the end of the season,so it will go down as a very good result.Peterborough are a good passing side and if you give them time they will hurt you.I thought this was a typical Gillingham performance,where not only did we beat a side that should beat us,we worked very hard as a Team to get the win.I thought we looked nervy for the first 20 minutes and looked like we couldn`t wait to get rid of the ball,but a good bit of pressure led to our first goal,and then from a Hessenthaler corner the ball went to Dack and his great strike was parried out to Hess,and his cross found Cody who leaped the highest to head past Alnwick.We were then the better side and were unlucky not to go 2-0 up when Cody`s shot went wide,and Egan`s header went just wide.Peterborough were fortunate to equalise when Taylor`s cross went straight over Bywater`s head into the net.It was a good goal,but lucky.We battled well in the second half,and apart from Almeida`s great strike that hit the post Peterborough didn`t really create much.We were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute when Burgess handled in the box.Cody stepped up and just scored for his second goal of the game,and 50th goal for the Club.5 minutes of added time were played once we reached the 90th minute,and flashbacks from when we conceded deep into injury time last season against Peterborough came back,but luckily we held on for a very good three points.

I expected a defeat last night,but we played really well as a Team and earned a great three points.I was hoping for 4-6 points from the two home games this week,and to have three in the first game is great.Walsall got thrashed last night 4-0 at Rochdale,so if we play as well again then we could get another win.They`re another side that pass the ball well.

MOTM? I could have picked any of Hause,Loft,Egan,Dack,or Hessenthaler,but I think Egan was outstanding and looks so commanding for such a young player.

A top result and further proof that Cody is our one class act as a striker. Well done the Gills .

Always praise wrapped in a little criticism?