Port Vale (H)

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

We`re back at Priestfield and take on Port Vale who sit 9th in the League.They have adapted really well to life in League One,and sit seven points outside of the Playoffs with three games in hand.This will be a tough game,and our defence will have to mark Tom Pope really well.Port Vale beat us at Priestfield last season 1-2,which put them top of League 2 for a while,before we went back top.I feel if we can play like we did at Brentford,and at home to Swindon then we can get the win.

What Team would you play against Port Vale? Can we make it three Home wins on the bounce?

[Garawa]

If recent games are to go by we should be up for this game. I wouldn't alter a lot from the Brentford match but I have heard various soundbites from the club about Marriott and yet he has only played a handful of minutes. He must surely start to give their defence something to work hard against. The key player will be the weather I fear, we will have done well to stop the game succumbing to a waterlogged pitch!

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

Yeah looking at how much rain we have had,and the amount we`re due on Friday I can see the game being called off.The groundsman has done a great job to get the recent games with Wolves,and Swindon on previously.

Team? I would Start Linganzi again as he did well at Brentford,and go with Bayo and Cody upfront.Harriman was excellent at right Midfield against Swindon,and I would play him there.

Nelson
Hewitt,Legge,Barrett,Martin
Gregory
Harriman,Linganzi,Weston
Akinfenwa,McDonald

Subs:Howard,Davies,Hessenthaler,Smith,Dack,Fagan,Marriott

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

Well that was a relief! I listened to the game and from going by Gillsplayer we just about deserved the lead going in at half-time in the poor conditions they said.We seemed to start the second half really well and get the second and third goals quite quickly.2 for Akinfenwa,and one for the inform McDonald.All three being assisted by Dack.I must say I did feel relaxed and we did nearly get a fourth when their keeper pulled off a triple save to deny Dack,Linganzi,and McDonald.We made changes and Linganzi,and Akinfenwa both were subbed,and we seemed to be a different Team once they both went off.We didn`t seem to keep the ball,and once Vale pulled one back they threw everything at us.The second seemed to be always coming,and we had to hang on for dear life at the end.At 3-0 I didn`t expect to age 20 years! I`m pleased we have got an important three points,to put us in the top half in 11th position.Thats three wins on the bounce now at home,and we have started to make Priestfield a mini fortess which is important.The only concern will be how we collapsed once the subs were made.

I read Bayo was MOTM,but the groundsmen deserve to be up there aswell for getting the game on.Hopefully the Stevenage away game is on Tuesday,and we can get another three points.

[gillsfan1066]

Amazing what happens when you have about 15 cracks at goal and about half of them either go in or force the keeper to make a save. Hewitt seemed to be mentioned on our scrolls just about every 30 seconds ,thought he would be mom .
Well done the mighty Gills ,feel a lot happier now with regards to avoiding relegation, need to get some 3 pointers from these next 4 or 5 games then the world will be a wonderful place.

[Garawa]

A very satisfying win against a side with more quality than us. They had more of the ball most of the game but we had the best chances. Linganzi was very good, Dack all over the place adding 3 assists, Bayo a handful and Harriman was lightening - his time is up in defence now as he way too dangerous as a winger to waste back there!

Before the game apparently one of the Vale defenders spoke out at how easy it is to stop Bayo but cutting out the avenues created for him to receive the ball. How apt he scored twice and made him look stupid! At 3-0 we were in total control and should added a 4th or even a 5th. TV replays are unclear but their first consolation looked off the line and not over. The linesman that side missed obvious offsides yet managed to see through a post, a Port Vale player and Joe Martin himself to see the ball cross the line!!! It sparked a very unlikely revival that very almost (and perhaps should have) seen us drop 2 points in the last 10 minutes from a 3-0 lead! That would have been devastating to the extreme!

[CadburyMan]

It was the substitutions that made the difference; Vale couldn't deal with Bayo's hold up play - it was the job I think he is best at and whilst he was given man of the match I think Linganzi was up there with him - he covered so much of the pitch; won a lot of the ball and rarely did he misplace a pass.

What also impressed me was the increased use of the short pass rather than the long ball up field.

All in all a good day at the office

[Garawa]

Especially given how the pitch was cutting up....could so easily have reverted to the long ball game but didn't.

[gillsfan1066]

I have always said give a team two speedy wingers, a center half who can stop a ball, hold it, and pass it accurately to the front runners, and a six four center forward in the middle and you can win any division, the FA Cup, Capitol One Cup, and the Johnston Paint Trophy. OK not necessarily all in the same season, but, lol.

[CadburyMan]

Morning 1066 - the content of your post reminds of something from years gone by - the old 2 - 3 - 5 formation; a couple of good wingers; a big bustling centre forward and a "take-no-prisoners" centre half