Opposing views: Gillingham
Gillingham fan Truebluejock09 doesn’t rate Tom Pope , thinks Peter Taylor has steadied the ship and that the Gills will beat the Valiants.
Fan bio:
Truebluejock09 has been a Gillingham fan for 29 years. His first game was a 1-0 loss to Wimbledon. His few highs include the exciting Keith Peacock years when Gillingham played exciting, attacking football with real wingers, the “death” match vs Halifax, (the loser would be relegated and Gills won 2-0), the play-off sagas against Swindon, Man City, Wigan and Shrewsbury, the Championship “glory” years and last season’s championship.
How are Gillingham doing?
I think we are doing well, we’re mid-table now which is especially impressive after the “Allen saga”…
I think we are doing well, we’re mid-table now which is especially impressive after the “Allen saga”. Sadly, Martin said there was no real step-up in quality between League Two and League One which affected his transfer policy and many fans bought into that. I think that we have a real core of “modern” fans who expect/demand instant success when the more “mature” Gills fan will tell you it isn’t like that!
Who should we watch out for?
Tough question. I think Taylor has us set up as an effective unit without any real stand-out player. I guess Cody McDonald will need to be watched and if you give him a chance make sure it is a one-on-one!
What are your thoughts on your manager?
It’s a very shrewd appointment after the turbulent Allen era…
It’s a very shrewd appointment after the turbulent Allen era. Taylor has steaded the ship, improved the football and brought in some pretty good players in Fagan, Hewitt and Marriott.
What are your thoughts on your board and off-field club activities?
Paul Scally is “marmite” to fans. Personally, I think he has done OK, his big mistake was overspending on a stand and taking his eye off the ball with ITV digital. He lives in Dubai which opens him up to abuse, but IMHO so what?
We are in pretty good shape off the pitch and the club is where it should be given its size and history. Sure, we can dream but until that rich Arab comes along I am happy as we are. Or to put it another way I’d rather have Scally than Vincent Tan!
One downer though is the lack of any progress on the new stadium.
Too much is made of Pope, I like Loft as a player and Myrie-Williams is decent at this level…
Any views on Port Vale?
I see the Vale as similar to us, an upper mid-table League One side. Too much is made of Pope, I like Loft as a player and Myrie-Williams is decent at this level. I see you have Gavin Tomlin who did OK for us a couple of years back.
Any views & memories of players/managers that have been involved with both teams?
Ronnie Jepson… move on! Micky Admas was a good Gills player and has been touted as a manager in the past. He’s a decent lower league manager who is doing a good job with you.
A score prediction?
3-1 to the Gills. McDonald, Akinfenwa and Marriott with a late third. Tomlin will probably score against us.