Opposing views: Gillingham (A)
We have the views of three Gills fans ahead of their match against Rob Page’s Port Vale.
About the fans
HerrLjunga – I’m an exile living near Corby, but I used to be a Rainham End season ticket-holder in the mid 90’s-early 00’s. I still try to get to as many local-ish away games as I can and the occasional home game when I get back to Kent. This is my 26th season as a Gills fan.
Bathnightattheminogues – I’ve been supporting the Gills for far too long, over thirty years. There are more downs than ups but I’ve loved every second of it.
Bazinoz – I’ve been a supporter since the early 70’s. I’ve been in exile in ‘Oz since 89. So I’m a web supporter now.
How do you expect your team to do this season?
I would take staying in the division come May, but reckon we might finish around the same place as last term…
HerrLjunga – I was hoping to push on from last season’s seventeenth place finish, especially as the league appeared easier on paper, but we’ve struggled, especially away from home as a relatively inexperienced squad beds in. I would take staying in the division come May, but reckon we might finish around the same place as last term.
Bathnightattheminogues – It’s impossible to say as the sum of the parts seems to be so much more than the whole at the moment. We still have potential, in my humble opinion.
Bazinoz – I was hoping for mid-table. Anywhere above bottom four would be good now though
Who should we watch out for?
HerrLjunga – If he’s playing, attacking-midfielder Bradley Dack can be a very, very good player. Michael Doughty (on loan from QPR) has received decent reports too, even when we’ve not been playing well.
Bathnightattheminogues – John Egan is the best young centre half I have seen for a long time. In terms of danger men, then Dack is likely to make something happen as is Doughty who has looked class so far.
Bazinoz – Cody is always capable of scoring. Lofty will probably want to do well too.
What are your thoughts on your manager?
Personally I think Peter Taylor is attempting to build a decent, ball-playing young side but he’s been hampered by extensive injuries and loss of form…
HerrLjunga – Personally I think Peter Taylor is attempting to build a decent, ball-playing young side but he’s been hampered by extensive injuries and loss of form. He doesn’t help himself by being tactically negative on occasion and certain teams have totally dominated us this season as we’ve tried to protect what we’ve got. I’m quite happy with the calibre of his signings compared to some made in his previous spell as manager.
Bathnightattheminogues – Taylor seems to divide opinion. His signings have definite potential and Egan and Loft are undoubtedly good players. In short, the jury’s still out.
Bazinoz – I don’t mind PT. Lots of our fan don’t like him though. Signings? Some good, some need to improve a bit for what I hear/read
What are your thoughts on your board?
Off the field the club could do with a bit of work. We can be a PR disaster at times…
HerrLjunga – Paul Scally, to give him his due, backs his managers and gives them time, he’s not one for knee-jerk sackings. Off the field the club could do with a bit of work. We can be a PR disaster at times, our marketing and communications strategy seems virtually non-existent with staff turnover worryingly high, we seem unable to tap into the local potential we have, but moan if London clubs encroach onto “our turf”, club merchandise is shoddy, membership clubs were introduced with a fanfare but have failed to deliver etc. etc. etc. Ordinarily if the team delivers on the pitch, all this is forgotten, but these issues have been raised on supporter forums this season.
Bathnightattheminogues – Meh.
Bazinoz – Scally often gets up peoples noses. But we’re still here, solvent (I think). It could be a lot worse.
Which one Vale player, past or present, would you take?
HerrLjunga – Tom Pope, on the basis that he’s the only professional footballer I know who shares my surname. This makes him scoring against us hard to take.
Bathnightattheminogues – I am going to cheat and say Micky Adams. I know he never played for Vale but he was your manager and how I would love to have him at left-back at the moment. Of your current players, I have always liked Chris Lines.
Bazinoz – Tom Pope would be the obvious choice, but not having a good year is he?
How do you expect Vale to do this season?
HerrLjunga – I see Port Vale as a Midland (Northern) version of ourselves and was expecting a mid-table finish for you too.
Bathnightattheminogues – Same as us I reckon, just above the drop zone (hopefully).
Bazinoz – I was expecting mid-table. You are doing me proud.
Most memorable game against Vale?
HerrLjunga – January 2009 – Port Vale 1-3 Gills, the one-man goal drought that is Dennis Oli actually managed to find the net and it was a stunner too.
Bathnightattheminogues – Nothing very memorable ever happens between Gills and Vale.
Bazinoz – I didn’t see them (obviously) but I think the away wins for each of us in our promo season two years ago were both “memorable” games.
A score prediction?
HerrLjunga – Gills 1-0 Vale (sorry!), Dickinson with our goal.
Bathnightattheminogues – 3-1 Gills. McDonald will score. Take your pick for the rest. (I really should know better by now!).
Bazinoz – I reckon this has a 1-1 feel about it. An OG for you by Leon and ours will be in off Lofty’s ar$e in the 94th minute… Good luck for the season.