FOM BLOG: GILLINGHAM SUPPORTERS BLOG SEASON PREVIEW FOR THE 2021 / 2022 SEASON
Looking ahead to the start of The 2021 / 2022 Season, And With Gillingham kicking off the league campaign with a home game against Lincoln City At Priestfield Stadium, I have asked several Gillingham Supporters for there thoughts and opinions on a number of different subjects, Gillingham’s Current Business In The Transfer Market, Steve Evans assembling a squad of experienced players, And Gillingham’s League Position Prediction For The 2021 / 2022 Season.
Answering these questions are the following Gillingham Supporters,,,,, Colin, Trevor, Mark, David, Luke, Smithy, BQGillsFan, Matthew, Andy, Loonpotter, And Gillingham Legends - I want to thank everyone who has participated in the latest Gillingham Supporters Blog, as well as thank those who participated in The Gillingham Supporters Blogs throughout The 2020 / 2021 Season, It is because the involvement of everyone who has participated in the previous blogs which have made these blogs so successful, so once again, thank you, Now on to the questions and answers……..
1. AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS BLOG, GILLINGHAM HAVE SIGNED OLLY LEE, MAX EHMER, BEN REEVES, DAVID TUTONDA, DANNY LLOYD, AARON CHAPMAN AND RHYS BENNETT, WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF GILLINGHAM’S SUMMER TRANSFER BUSINESS SO FAR ???
Colin - From what we know Scally has provided a pretty minimal budget for Evans to try and work to. Lee and Ehmer are known quantities and won’t let us down. The others make up the numbers but none of them for me have particularly stood out in what has admittedly been a curtailed pre-season.
Trevor - The signings we have made have been ok but we remain to see if they have the quality we desperately need. Still think we are shopping in the bargain basement and therefore avoiding relegation will be the only target once again.
Mark - Is there a goal scorer in there ? That’s what we need or we are totally reliant on Oliver and that’s a worry. None of the signings are standout exciting ones but in truth we don’t have the money to make that kind of signing. All about realistic expectations this season. If we keep away from the relegation battle then we should be satisfied.
David - Poor.
Luke - Happy with most of those. Keeping Olly Lee was crucial for the core of the group and bringing Ehmer back isn't a bad thing in my eyes. Bennett strengthens the back line for me and I'm intrigued to see what Lloyd & Reeves can achieve for us. Tutonda I have my doubts over but will be happy to be proven wrong.
Smithy - Generally current business seems okay but I still think, like others I'm sure, we need to strengthen up top. Couple of decent signings there though for me.
BQGillsFan - I think the players we have bought in are great additions, but I’m terrified that we don’t have anywhere near enough depth to head into the new season. We saw how having a small squad ended up costing us last year in the play-off race and with a team now that is even smaller and probably worse in terms of overall quality now we don’t have Graham, Ogilvie or Bonham, the transfer activity so far leaves me very pessimistic about the new season.
Matthew - Not the best at the moment. We could do with at least another defender and a striker.
Andy - It’s great to have signed a couple of the guys who did so well for us last season, plus we know what we are getting with Max. None of the others have yet to excite, but hopefully they will settle in & prove to be excellent additions.
Loonpotter - I think the signings that we've made are pretty decent but there may not be enough of them is my only worry.. I guess time will tell.
Gillingham Legends - I've been pleased with the signings we've made but feel we need at least another three. Think all of the signings so far will add a lot to our squad.
2. AND IN ADDITION TO GILLINGHAM SIGNING THE SEVEN PLAYERS MENTIONED ABOVE, GILLINGHAM HAVE ALSO SIGNED GOALKEEPER JAMIE CUMMING ON LOAN FROM CHELSEA, AND DANIEL PHILLIPS ON LOAN FROM WATFORD, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON GILLINGHAM’S TWO LOAN SIGNINGS SIGNED SO FAR ???
Colin - I thought Cumming looked quite promising when I saw him play in the friendly against Millwall. He was on loan at Stevenage last season so he has some league experience. I was also impressed by Phillips in the same game. He looked strong and you could see in his touches that he possessed some real quality.
Trevor - Cumming looks a useful addition but Phillips will need to up his game from what I have seen so far.
Mark - I don’t know anything about them so open minded. I think Chapman will be the first choice keeper though, just a hunch that Evans will favour experience over youth.
David - Very good.
Luke - Cumming looks a cracking signing from the reports from Stevenage fans so I hope he has just as an excellent season for us too. Phillips looks very lively albeit a bit raw still so hopefully we can help polish this rough diamond into a very good defensive midfielder.
Smithy - Both lads sound highly-rated so I'm hoping for good things, time will tell.
BQGillsFan - I think Cumming is a good pickup. I’ve heard talk about him for a while and he seems very highly rated by Chelsea and Stevenage fans. Hopefully he can do well for us this season should he be given the number one spot. I don’t know much about Phillips, so I’ll reserve comment on him for now.
Matthew - I was impressed with Cummings in the only pre season game I went to Millwall and Phillips I will have to watch more of.
Andy - After a good first season, Bonham was disappointing last season so hopefully these 2 guys can push each and provide genuine competition for the no.1 spot.
Loonpotter - These 2 loan signings really excite me. They come from good clubs with good reviews and I'm sure will have a very decent season with us.
Gillingham Legends - Always sceptical of these young Premier League loans as although talented they're unproven at this level so always the unknown. I remember everyone's excitement when we signed the two lads from Arsenal last season that were very disappointing. Heard good things about both of these players though so hopefully they can make the grade.
3. CONNOR OGILVIE HAS SIGNED FOR PORTSMOUTH ON A TWO YEAR DEAL WITH AN OPTION OF SIGNING A FURTHER ONE YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION AT FRATTON PARK, WHEN CONNOR OGILVIE WAS PLAYING FOR GILLINGHAM IN THE TWO PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES AGAINST COLCHESTER UNITED AND MILLWALL, DID YOU THINK GILLINGHAM HAD A CHANCE OF RE-SIGNING CONNOR OGILVIE, OR, DID YOU ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT OGILVIE WAS GOING TO SIGN FOR ANOTHER CLUB ???
Colin - I don’t have any knowledge of what his on behind the scenes. I was a bit surprised that Connor hadn’t secured a contract before he did. I assumed we had allowed him to train with us as a favour and then when we were short on numbers he padded out the side in those friendlies. There must have been an outside chance he wouldn’t get a better offer but I felt someone would put more money on the table than Gillingham.
Trevor - I hoped there was a chance of Ogilvie signing but feel we have been too generous and been used by him and has left a bit of a sour taste.
Mark - I was surprised to see him play in the games and that did give me hope. Good luck to him though, it’s a short career and Pompey are a much bigger club than us. You can’t argue with him choosing them over us.
David - I thought that he would always go.
Luke - No I thought he was just using us to stay fit.
Smithy - I was hopeful he might re-sign but I think he was always waiting for the right deal elsewhere unfortunately.
BQGillsFan - I think Gills fans were all accepting of Ogilvie leaving in the summer, but the way it’s played out has left a sour taste now. Many of us imagined he’d be moving up the pyramid to the Championship, not staying in League One and definitely not to the team that yes is bigger than Gills, but one that if our ambition is to reach play-offs this season, is one of the teams you’d imagine we’ll be fighting for that spot. Plus using us for pre-season to stay fit, only to then sign for a team in the same league that we’ll hope to be fighting for a top league position, it just hurts a bit.
Matthew - I thought we have a chance to put pen to a new contract but at first I was not impressed with Ogilvie when he first came but he grew on me. The way he left was a bit selfish but that is football.
Andy - It was great for the club to leave the door open, but he’s a good player and so no complaints with him moving on & wanting to better himself, though surely a Championship club would have been his preferred choice?
Loonpotter - It's hard to say... I expected him to go much earlier in the transfer window so as time passed it did leave me wondering if he may be staying.. He's gone now, I wish him well for the future.
Gillingham Legends - I never really expected him to sign for us as much as I would've loved him too. Like most, surprised he wasn't snapped up sooner and isn't in the Championship. Have no animosity towards him, he served us very well and training/playing for us pre-season probably helped us both out (due to lack of numbers).
4. WHERE DO YOU THINK GILLINGHAM WILL NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE SQUAD IN THE TRANSFER WINDOW ???
Colin - It’s less than a week till the League Season starts and we only have one for senior striker. It’s pretty obvious where we need to recruit. The injury that Akinde picked up against Norwich put paid to any imminent exit on his part and that means we can’t immediately free up his fairly substantial wages. The best I can see is us picking up a young forward on loan.
Trevor - We still are woefully short up front and need to provide a bit of variety so a minimum of two players are still required.
Mark - Goal scorer. We are OK everywhere else but we need a goal scorer. If Oliver is injured or doesn’t repeat the form of last year we are in big trouble.
David - We need a striker.
Luke - I would say at least two strikers if the rumours of Akinde going are true. I'm still not confident over the left back position either.
Smithy - Without doubt we need another striker in the door, and soon. I think we're generally covered elsewhere but it's too light for my liking in the forward department.
BQGillsFan - Defence and attack are both a worry for me. I think we are more than fine in midfield and with the two goalkeepers we have signed. We need a LB badly and probably another CB and RB to fill out depth in defence. Then up front, right now we are screwed. Only having Vadaine Oliver and John Akinde, who the club don’t want and is now injured, leaves me worried. Without some major additions up top, I’m not sure where the goals are going to come from this season.
Matthew - Striker replacement for Samuel.
Andy - We still look light up front - and so need back up for Oliver and also 1 or 2 options to play alongside him.
Loonpotter - Left back and someone else up front is still needed for me.
Gillingham Legends - Obviously lacking in striking options. Even if Akinde ends up staying, he is very similar to Oliver and we need an alternative option with a bit of pace. Only one proper left-back isn't ideal either and the squad in general (apart from midfield) is very light in numbers.
5. THE SIGNINGS OF MAX EHMER, RHYS BENNETT, AARON CHAPMAN, OLLY LEE AND DANNY LLOYD SUGGESTS THAT STEVE EVANS IS LOOKING TO SIGN PLAYERS WITH PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON GILLINGHAM ASSEMBLING A MUCH MORE EXPERIENCED FIRST TEAM SQUAD FOR THE 2021 / 2022 SEASON ???
Colin - You have to balance experience with quality, fitness , pace and other factors. What I see is the makings of a fairly solid but fairly limited squad looking to frustrate opposing sides. The acquisition of a couple more strikers would set us up for another season of long ball tactics. Without further additions I think we will struggle.
Trevor - Although we did require more experience we must ensure they are players with the right attitude and not ones after a last pay day.
Mark - I think he’s looking to make us solid and hard to beat and through that not getting involved in any relegation battles. I can understand that approach.
David - Much better to sign experienced players.
Luke - Very much lessons learned from last summer. Signed far too many youngsters and we got found out as a result. Signed more experience in the January and the overnight change was dramatic. Personally think it's the right call.
Smithy - I think signing much more established players can only be a good thing. The days of signing someone from a local lower league club seem a bit behind us and that's got to be down to Steve Evans wanting to push on much more than previous seasons.
BQGillsFan - Absolutely the right call. I said last summer on this blog that the loss of Ehmer, Fuller and Byrne was going to be a problem as we lost a lot of locker room leaders. I’m convinced having at least one of those guys around last season would maybe have helped the squad calm themselves and approach the play-off push better. So this season, whether it’s the optimistic play-off push again or what I fear, a relegation fight, having that experience is vitally important.
Matthew - That will help us to hopefully get in that play off positions.
Andy - There always needs to be a healthy mix of experience and youth, and last season we did get undone by the more “streetwise” clubs like Lincoln and Blackpool.
Loonpotter - I think it may be coincidence.. its been feeling like he's grabbing the best that'll come to us on a limited budget .. the age and experience could well not even be a factor..
Gillingham Legends - Not sure how intentional that is or whether it's a case of they're the best players that were available. Think their experience can only benefit the team, especially Ehmer and Bennett at the back, where we were suspect at times last season.
6. CHARLTON ATHLETIC, SUNDERLAND, PORTSMOUTH, SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY, IPSWICH TOWN, BOLTON WANDERERS, WIGAN ATHLETIC, ROTHERHAM UNITED, AND OXFORD UNITED, WILL ALL BE TIPPED TO BE CHALLENGING FOR PROMOTION, DO YOU THINK THIS SEASON IS GOING TO BE THE MOST OPEN, AND MOST CHALLENGING LEAGUE ONE SEASON ???
Colin - Yes there are some big clubs with big budgets who will expect to compete at the top end of the table but money doesn’t guarantee success. I think smaller clubs like Lincoln, Burton and Wycombe will be in the mix too.
Trevor - I think the top teams will be further away from the rest this year as I think a lot of them have made decent signings, so I believe there will be two distinct leagues within League One.
Mark - I think it’s a division of two halves the haves and the haves not in terms of transfer budgets if you like . Those at the top will have a promotion battle, we won’t be involved in that. I believe we are stronger than the likes of Cambridge, Morecambe, Cheltenham, Accrington and AFCW though. That should keep us safe from the drop.
David - Yes.
Luke - Yes this season will be a lot more difficult and we're going to need a much better start than last year to even have a whiff of the top 6.
Smithy - For the last couple of seasons it's been said it's the most challenging League One, and that continues. I think this season is going to be tough because of the quality that is flooding this league. Going to be an interesting one I think.
BQGillsFan - Possibly yeah. All those teams listed and there are still the likes of Lincoln and Wycombe to think of too. Even teams like Gillingham, who nobody would have thought would be in the play-off battle as long as we were last year, is proof that anyone can do well in this league. Likewise, Sunderland, Portsmouth and Ipswich have proven what happens to teams that think they have a god-given right to go up. So at the moment I’d say it’s near impossible to predict how the league will play out this season.
Matthew - No I think it will be the most challenging season yet as there are some fantastic teams in the league.
Andy - Put it like this, it’s not going to be any easier, however, there is always one or two surprise packages each season - hopefully we can be one of them.
Loonpotter - League 1 seems to get more difficult every year but the size of some of the clubs in this league make for some great games, great away trips and great memories.. I look forward to it as always.
Gillingham Legends - Yes definitely, there are some big, big clubs spending a lot of money this year and we will need to defy the odds again to be involved at the top end. But I believe we are capable if we can start well and have more consistency.
7. THIS SEASON, GILLINGHAM CURRENTLY HAVE SEVEN MID-WEEK LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES ARRANGED ON A TUESDAY NIGHT, DO YOU THINK A LESS CONGESTED LEAGUE SEASON CAN HELP GILLINGHAM THIS TIME ROUND COMPARED TO THE FIFTEEN MIDWEEK LEAGUE FIXTURES GILLINGHAM HAD TO PLAY IN THE 2020 / 2021 SEASON ???
Colin - Last season was unusual because of COVID. Hopefully this one will be more of a return to normal running. The schedule is the same for everyone. Bigger clubs though, with bigger and better squads, can obviously better switch their personnel around to cope with the pressures of the schedule. The Gillingham squad looks pretty threadbare and a couple of injuries could put us under a bit of pressure.
Trevor - I think that will be a good thing, once again we will have one of the smallest squads in League one, also it may help the older players recover better.
Mark - With a smaller squad it will help. I like games under the lights though.
David - Yes, it will help.
Luke - Who knows, we had a fantastic period in March when the games were thick and fast so I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Smithy - Matches slightly more spaced out this season I think at the moment will be good for us purely based on the squad, a bit more midweek rest given how light I feel we are currently.
BQGillsFan - I think it will certainly help us, but it will also help everyone else. So overall, it won’t make much of an impact.
Matthew - Yes I feel going away up north on a Tuesday night makes it harder to get back and focus for a home Saturday game.
Andy - Definitely - although our relatively small squad did brilliantly last season and the energy levels were always right up there.
Loonpotter - I'm not sure it'll make too much difference as it usually averages out to be the same for everyone so no real advantage or disadvantage.
Gillingham Legends - With the size of our squad, definitely. The bigger clubs have bigger squads and can rest/rotate more.
8. DO YOU THINK GILLINGHAM BEING FORCED TO CANCEL OUR PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES AGAINST DARTFORD, QPR, EBBSFLEET UNITED, PETERBOROUGH UNITED AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS COULD WELL SEE GILLINGHAM START THE 2021 / 2022 SLOWLY AS THE PLAYERS ARE A BIT BEHIND IN THERE PREPARATIONS FOR THE START OF THE NEW SEASON ???
Colin - Very few of our players have got ninety minutes under their belts. I think that I’ll show against Lincoln. Hopefully we can catch up with the pack in terms of fitness without losing too much ground in terms of points on the board.
Trevor - The postponements were unfortunate and yes has put us a bit behind and may cost us as we get into the season, there will also be an additional risk of injury due to players being a bit undercooked.
Mark - Yes, but I am sure others have been affected in similar ways as well. I suspect we may sign a free agent or two after the season has started. Not having the squad together for pre-season will have a negative impact and we may struggle to get wins in the first month or two.
David - Yes, the players are behind.
Luke - Certainly not ideal preparation but less risk of injuries I guess. Sometimes a lengthy preseason can cause knock on effects later in the year so perhaps we may end remaining relatively fresh?
Smithy - Not having many pre-season matches is bound to have some impact, it may mean that the team takes a bit longer to gel. Am I concerned by the lack of friendlies, not really if I'm honest.
BQGillsFan - The cancellations will certainly not have helped, but Gillingham always struggle at the start of a season anyway. That’s the nature of having such a high squad turnover every summer. Give it a few weeks and the pre-season fitness concerns will be past us, we just have to hope the team gel well on the pitch.
Matthew - Well at this moment in time lots of clubs are all in the same boat with the COVID crisis but I think it will have given us more rest for the big game against Lincoln.
Andy - We could be going into the season a little undercooked and so IF we make a slow start then fans need to stay calm and not start panicking. Let’s see after 6-8 weeks.
Loonpotter - No.. They should be prepared and ready regardless.. other clubs and teams suffer certain things along the way in preparation.. For me they should be buzzing and ready to get the season underway.
Gillingham Legends - We've started slow the past two seasons due to the big turnaround of playing staff and think this season will be the same on that basis alone. Add into that the lack of pre-season games and it is a worry for me. Hopefully I'm wrong though.
9. AFTER HEARING PAUL SCALLY’S LATEST “CHAIRMAN’S CHAT” IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT PRINTED MATCH-DAY PROGRAMMES ARE GOING TO CEASE TO EXIST AND SUPPORTERS WILL NOW HAVE THE OPTION TO BUY DIGITAL MATCH-DAY PROGRAMMES, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON GILLINGHAM NO LONGER PRINTING MATCH-DAY PROGRAMMES ???
Colin - Scally obviously wants to run a fully digital, cashless operation. Personally I like a paper match day programme but the pricing seems to have put a lot of people off buying them. I had heard that the paper programs just about paid for themselves but I suspect the tide was moving in a direction whereby to sell them cost the club money.
Trevor - I think this is one of the worse decisions Scally has made for a while and as per usual shows an unbelievable lack of what ordinary Supporters want from a match day experience.
Mark - Haven’t bought one in years so really not bothered. The whole world has gone digital. Might be a shame for our older supporters who may not be ready or willing to engage in the digital world.
David - Disappointing.
Luke - A real shame, always been an enjoyable part of the match day experience is reading the programme before the game. I've always tried to buy one at home games where possible so will be sad not to add to the collection.
Smithy - I think it's sad that we may see the end of match-day programmes but I think it's a sign of the times that everything is going digital now. I think they should continue personally, it's part of the match-day.
BQGillsFan - I think it’s a shame for tradition, but I completely understand why it’s happening from both a financial and an environmental perspective. I personally stopped buying programmes a while back, except for special matches, so it won’t impact me too much.
Matthew - I loved buying a match day programme as it a good read at half time and you see what the names of the away teams players. If it goes online that would be fine too.
Andy - “Back in the day” the programme used to be on the only way to hear all the latest news - so apart from major sporting events where memorabilia is still popular, I think the day of the printed match-day programme is at an end.
Loonpotter - I understand some people collect and like to have a hard copy of the programme but for me personally I don't buy one anyway so it won't really effect me.
Gillingham Legends - Haven't bought a programme for years so doesn't really affect me. Think it's the way it's going and if it's not cost effective to print programmes anymore then it's probably a sensible decision.
10. GILLINGHAM TRAVEL TO THE BROADFIELD STADIUM TO TAKE ON CRAWLEY TOWN IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE LEAGUE CUP ON TUESDAY THE TENTH OF AUGUST, HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK A CUP RUN IN THE LEAGUE CUP WILL BE FOR GILLINGHAM FOR THIS COMING SEASON ???
Colin - Cup runs breed confidence and bring in extra income. The chance of drawing a big club in future rounds adds some spice to the day to day business if grinding out results in the league. I honestly can’t see the squad as it currently stands taking us on a decent run in one of the cup competitions. Maybe we can win the Kent Senior Cup left over from last season.
Trevor - Cup runs will be more important than ever but with our reduced numbers I'm sure it is something we will not capitalise on.
Mark - Get through a round or two and we have the chance of a money-spinning tie against a big club. We should take it very seriously. We need every income possible.
David - Very important.
Luke - Always helps to bring extra revenue to the club but we don't have a great record in the League Cup. Personally much prefer the FA Cup.
Smithy - I think cup runs are always important to an extent. If nothing else it could be looked upon almost like a friendly in that Steve Evans could use it to his advantage for the next league game.
BQGillsFan - As always, a cup run would be nice but right now it’s not something I’m starting the season caring too much about. Especially with the League Cup. If we are going to have a good cup run, you always want it to be in the FA Cup.
Matthew - It is always important to get a good cup run as when the big boys come in then more money for the club.
Andy - Winning is a good habit and a decent run always adds a bit of excitement as far as perennial “mid table” teams like us are concerned. However, the league has to be the no.1 priority.
Loonpotter - A cup run is always important and can bring in well needed funds so hopefully we'll put Crawley to the sword and get a decent draw in the next round.
Gillingham Legends - A good cup run is always good for players, fans and finances. But the league is the priority and most important. A cup run is a nice bonus if you can have one.
11. HAVE YOU BROUGHT YOUR SEASON TICKET, OR INDIVIDUAL MATCH TICKET FOR GILLINGHAM V LINCOLN CITY ON THE OPENING DAY OF THE SEASON, AND ALSO, ANY DIFFICULTIES SORTING OUT SEASON TICKET / MATCH TICKETS ON THE NEW TICKETING SYSTEM ???
Colin - I bought a 2 year ST in February 2019. I like to help the club with cash flow. A couple of weeks later COVID became a bigger thing. I had trouble with getting an email in response to the password reset instructions and had to contact the club a couple of times to get things sorted. As of now I haven’t received my season ticket card but hopefully it will arrive before we play Lincoln on Saturday.
Trevor - I had a two year season ticket deal and am disgusted through the pandemic with the total disregard Supporters have been treated with and yes I am expecting problems as the communication with fans has shown little sign of improvement. Typically with three days to go nobody has received their season tickets.
Mark - Season ticket. It was an easy decision. I didn’t like or agree with Scally’s handling of the season tickets last season so it would have been easy to walk away and not buy a ticket this season. Simple reality is I will go to most games anyway so a season ticket just makes life easier. I also had some good fortune on a few football bets I made last season and they covered the cost.
David - No.
Luke - Yes match tickets acquired. No major issues apart from trying to select seats on your smartphone is quite difficult but fired the laptop up and no issues.
Smithy - Once I gained access to the new site/system I found it quite easy to navigate. I think it's about time we had a more up-to-date system like this so I'm quite with it and I managed to do what I needed to fairly easily.
BQGillsFan - I’ve bought individual tickets this time as I can’t guarantee being available every Saturday this season, so a season ticket wouldn’t be worth the value. The new ticketing system is just a complicated, needlessly fiddly mess at the moment, but I’m sure with time and repeated use, it will be easy enough.
Matthew - I brought my season ticket and yes the new system has had its problems as I could not get on the day I wanted to buy my ticket. I phoned the club and the lady helped put it through. I still have not received my season ticket but hope it turns up before Saturday.
Andy - As an overseas fan I will worry about the new ticketing system when I come over for my first games - and my first trip to the U.K. for over 18 months - next month. Fingers crossed it all works perfectly.
Loonpotter - I've waited all this time for 'live' football and can't attend the first game frustratingly but I look forward to using the new ticketing system very soon.
Gillingham Legends - Personally, didn't have any real issues myself but seems like I was one of the lucky ones.
12. GILLINGHAM START THE 2021 / 2022 SEASON WITH A HOME LEAGUE GAME AGAINST LINCOLN CITY ON SATURDAY THE SEVENTH OF AUGUST 2021, WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE IN THE STARTING LINE UP FOR GILLINGHAM AT PRIESTFIELD STADIUM ??? (YOU CAN ALSO NAME THE SUBS ON THE BENCH IF YOU WISH TO DO SO).
Colin - I am hoping we will have some new additions by Saturday. I will have to make assumptions about whether we retain the loanees and whether those currently injured are fit to return. My guess is we will go with: Cumming, Jackson/ Bennett, Tucker, Ehmer, Tutonda, Phillips, O’Keefe, Dempsey, Lee, Crowley, Oliver - Most of the remainder of the contracted players will be on the bench.
Trevor - Cummings, Bennett, Ehmer, Tucker, Tutonda, Dempey (if still here) Phillips, O'Keefe Reeves, Oliver & Lee.
Mark - Depends who’s fit and registered I think. I hope there will be at least two or three who didn’t play against Norwich or we could be in trouble. Never nice to lose the first home game of the season.
David - I don’t know.
Luke - Cumming. Bennett, Ehmer, Tucker, Tutonda. O'Keefe & Phillips. Dempsey, Lee & Lloyd. Oliver.
Smithy - I'm going to pass on this question purely for the fact that there's a lot of new players again, pre-season has obviously been abit stop start so I'll await the announcement on Saturday. I do however think it'll be Jamie Cumming between the sticks!
BQGillsFan - Cumming, Jackson (if fit, if not Bennett), Ehmer, Tucker, Tutonda, Dempsey, O’Keefe, Reeves, Lee, Lloyd, Oliver.
Matthew - I could not possibly say as I have only watched the Millwall game so we will wait and see.
Andy - I never get too caught up on this player & that player - of course the spine of the team is essential and so we need the likes of Max, Jack, Kyle and Oliver fit and on their games from the very start in what could be a tough opening fixture.
Loonpotter - Cumming , Tutonda, Tucker, Ehmer, Bennett, O'Keefe, Phillips, Dempsey, Reeves, Lloyd and Oliver.
Gillingham Legends - Think Cumming will start in goal having given then no.1 shirt. Jackson won't be fit so it'll be Bennett, Tucker, Ehmer, Tutonda. Midfield - O'Keefe and Dempsey if fit are certs. Then any three from the other midfielders, probably MacDonald, Lee, Lloyd. I predict Oliver will start up front haha!
13. AND WHAT IS YOUR SCORE PREDICTION FOR GILLINGHAM V LINCOLN CITY ???
Colin - I am expecting a tough opening game with a Lincoln team who I expect to challenge for promotion. Let’s say 1-1.
Trevor - 2-1 to Lincoln.
Mark - Sorry to say I think they will be too strong for us. This game has come too early for us or our transfer business has been delayed – either way same result I think we will lose 0-2.
David - Gillingham 0 -2 Lincoln City.
Luke - Knowing us we'll lose 2-0 but just to be back at Priestfield for a League fixture will be special.
Smithy - I think sadly we might get off to a rocky start on Saturday, I think it could a single goal loss.
BQGillsFan - Optimist says 2-1 Gills, realist says 2-0 Lincoln.
Matthew - 2-1 Gills.
Andy - 1-0 to The Gills - hopefully Lincoln will have a hangover from their play off final defeat back in May - fingers crossed!!
Loonpotter - Score prediction for me is we'll hang on for a 1-1 draw.
Gillingham Legends - Gills win 2-1.
14. WHERE DO YOU THINK GILLINGHAM WILL FINISH IN LEAGUE ONE FOR THE 2021 / 2022 SEASON ???
Colin - It depends on whether we can add some decent forwards. If we can’t I predict we will finish around 16th. If we can add some fire power then maybe 8th.
Trevor - 19th.
Mark - 15th – I think we’d take that here and now as well.
David - 20th
Luke - Definitely in the Top 24.
Smithy - I'd like to think we will finish top half, I can't see that that would be an unreasonable thought. So at this moment I'm opting for 10th-12th.
BQGillsFan - I think I’ve made it very clear that I’m worried for us this season and fear we could be looking at a relegation battle at the moment. Hopefully I can be proved wrong and I can change my tone in future blogs, but right now I think we will stay up with a few games to spare and finish 16th.
Matthew - Sixth I hope.
Andy - 10th would be nice - anything higher would be a bonus.
Loonpotter - I think we'll finish about 12th in reality but my pre season brain will start out by thinking top 6 and continue to think that until maths tells me otherwise at around December/January.
Gillingham Legends - It's going to be very tough but believe we will finish in the top half - 10th.
15. AND FINALLY, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH TO ADD (EXAMPLE: IS THERE SOMETHING I HAVE NOT COVERED IN THE FOURTEEN QUESTIONS ASKED ABOVE YOU WANT TO EXPAND UPON) ???
Colin - I think you have covered everything. I hope the Chairman’s charm offensive can continue and we can all get behind the club in what looks likely to be a tough season for us.
Trevor - The only thing is the way the club is being run into the ground with no sign of improvement, Personally I think attendances will hit a low as so many people I know have decided to walk away and go elsewhere due to the way the club has treated its Supporters over the past 18 months particularly.
Mark - Some big clubs/grounds in league one next season. You could have asked which away game people are most excited by. Sheffield Wednesday for me – never been.
David - Nothing To Add.
Luke - Carayol looks set to be announced at time of writing so that's an extra pair of legs for us. Looking forward to seeing people back at the Home of the Shouting Men on Saturday and thanks to Lee for the questions.
Smithy - Nothing To Add.
BQGillsFan - No more to add, other than to say I can’t wait to see fans back at Priestfield on Saturday. Here’s to a new season and all the hope that comes before that first ball is kicked. Up The Gills!
Matthew - Nothing To Add.
Andy - Fans are back, it’s been a tough 18 months - if you’re just going to moan then please stay at home and carry on watching Netflix. Up The Gills!
Loonpotter - I just want to wish everyone good luck and let's get ready for the rollercoaster ride once again.
Gillingham Legends - Just looking forward to going back to Priestfield after so long away and think that it will be a fantastic day regardless of result (and weather).
Once again, thank you to everyone for participating in this blog, and if anyone who is reading this wishes to participate in The Next Gillingham Supporters Blog, then feel free to send me a message, and your more than welcome to participate in The Next Gillingham Supporters Blog, The Strength Of The Gillingham Supporters Blog comes from everyone who has contributed, so once again, thank you to everyone who has participated in every single Gillingham Supporters Blog, Now, Hopefully, Everyone has got there match tickets, E-Tickets, And Season Tickets, And we can watch live football inside a football stadium for the first time in eighteen months, and let’s hope that Gillingham can get off to the perfect start by picking up all three points against Lincoln City At Priestfield Stadium This Afternoon - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!!!!!