Zesh Rehman signs

[Garawa]

Gills bring in a defender after Oshilaja and his replacement Garmston were both injured against Wimbledon. Rehman joins from a Malaysian side - not sure where these players from obscure footballing outposts are coming from lately what with Parker from Serbia and Holy from the Czech Republic.

"Pakistani international Rehman, 33, brings great experience into the club having played in the Premier League, Championship and League One during his career to date. A Fulham Academy product, he signed professional terms with the West London side shortly before he made his debut in their League Cup fixture against Wigan Athletic in September 2003. His maiden Premier League start came at Anfield against Liverpool the following April, as Rehman became the first British Asian player to appear in an English top division fixture.

The Birmingham-born centre-back, who can also play as a right-back and holding midfielder, went on to play 49 times for QPR between 2006 and 2008, and has also had loan spells with Brighton & Hove Albion, Norwich City and Blackpool. After leaving Bradford City in December 2010, Rehman went on to play for Muangthong United in Thailand, Kitchee in Hong Kong and, most recently, Malaysian Super League Side Pahang FA".

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

He has recently had spells in Malaysia,but will be more remembered for playing for Fulham and Bradford.Hopefully he can be the experienced head we have needed at the back.

[lidbid46]

This forum is far too sensible. Most other forums, Facebook pages and Twitter users have already slagged Zesh off and have started the important process of destroying his confidence. They all seem to know that he's absolutely useless and hasn't got a clue about football; unlike all the contributors of course. Why are we not pulling our weight and joining in the Gills supporters' main job of destroying our team? Gary, you need to look into this!

[lidbid46]

In all seriousness, these new signings are going to decide whether we get out of this season unscathed or whether we have to cope with second division football once again. I have confidence in them, being impressed by Martin and Parker so far. Add Quigley and the other Bornmouth player who's name I've forgotten, alongside a rejuvenated Max, Dack and Wright and I'm really hopeful that several wins are just round the corner.

[bunburygills]

I've no idea how good Zesh Rehman is but I can tell you something about Muangthong United. I watched them on TV on Tuesday night in an Asian Champions League game against Brisbane Roar in Brisbane. Brisbane are 3rd in our A-League. It was a very enjoyable game despite it being a 0-0 draw. They have a couple of good Brazilians and 7 of the Thai national team in their line up, including the "Asian Messi", and yes, he was very good. A few months ago,Thailand drew with Australia 2-2 in a World Cup game. So just in case some of you think these teams are a walk in the park, think again. I think I'd put my money on Muangthong before I'd put it on the Gills. Mind you, this Rehman might still be crap.

[gillsfan1066]

Hahaha, great post, which all and all makes me think we have signed him because 93 of the other 94 clubs in the Football League didn't want him,but thats me just being cynical . I don't think many pro players worry about what supporters have written about them in blogs or tweets ,my bet is most of them don't even read a single word on forums about GFC or on Facebook.

[Garawa]

To be honest Lidbid, I probably would but then we were in that scenario with both Gavin Tomlin and Adam El-Abd who all came with atrocious records and a perplexing history that made us wonder why we'd go for them and both, I thought, were superb for us. I will extol him the courtesy of playing so I can decide. I know he has been playing lesser football but has won trophies in front of massive gates so a bit of grit and experience won't go a miss at all.

[lidbid46]

So what do you think? I thought he was excellent today, a proper defender, calm and assured, good in the air and cool when passing the ball. He also looked an attacking threat from corners and free kicks, so I'm very happy and hope he goes on to be a super Gills signing.

[Garawa]

Exactly what I said too and in my commentary. Been a while since we've seen a defender assured, willing to stay calm and to just watch players and the ball and not panic. There was a moment in the first half where he just didn't allow their attacker any space at all in the penalty area. He just should there and there was no way through. Normally we'd back off and hope Nelson stops it and in many cases he would, but in the odd match they'd score from it hence when I say I think we are only a goal every 2 or 3 games away from a win. He deserved the clean sheet really but he was commanding, assured, calm and for me, the missing cog in keeping a clean sheet. Adam El-Abd all over again!

[bunburygills]

Adding to my previous post, just for your possible interest, Muang thong utd have just beaten Kashima Antlers, the Japanese champions to go top of their group. Kashima took Real Madrid to extra time in the final of the World club Cup back in July. So when you said, Garrawa, that he'd been playing lesser football, I don't think so. I'm glad he's turned out to be good.

[Garawa]

Lesser in terms of in terms of by comparision to European football where even the Brazilian leagues are considered lesser. That said, he is at the Gills so we are well down that particular list!!!!

[bunburygills]

Sometimes I think people in England forget that the rest of the world is catching up fast in football terms. Just look at the recent form of teams like Iceland and Costa Rica. Who would of thought Burkina Faso and Mali would be so good. I should imagine half the folks down Lower Gillingham would never have heard of these places. With the possible exception of Celtic I don't think any other Scottish team would stand a chance of winning the Thai, Japanese, South Korean or Chinese leagues, and Gillingham certainly wouldn't. Even in the Premier league, nearly all the star players are non English with Harry Kane the only one coming immediately to mind being the exception. I think a lot of people in England might have that American disease of not being able to see beyond the horizon. Donald Trump and Brexit could be possible side effects of that malady.

[Garawa]

You are right but you hit the nail in "catching up fast". As things stand I'm not sure anyone would say the Thai league is better than the Premier League in the same way the Premier League wasn't as good Serie A back in the 90s. That's just how it is. You only have to look at the World Club champions to see that all bar 4 of the last 13 competitions have been won by European sides and the other 4 by Brazilian ones.

There is no doubt the gap is closing but as things stand, they are not on a par yet.

[lidbid46]

Bunberry; Deli Ali, Danny Rose, Davis from Everton, Rashford, Heaton??

[gillsfan1066]

Every Premier League, A league,1st. Division or what ever you call it has got it's 4 or 5 good clubs,who on any day of the week could beat Chelsea , the difference is that over five or six games playing each other Chelsea would whip their butts four times out of six.
You forget Boomerang Bob,games in July are pre season friendlies for European clubs,your kind of upside down to us, as your season ends ours is just starting.