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Opposition View: Gillingham FC Fans on Their Promotion Push & Tough Test Against Notts County


Chris

Introduction:

Name:

Steve Hall.

David Garth.

How long have you supported Gillingham? 

Steve: Supported Gillingham since 1964.

David: I've been a Gills' supporter since the 1963/64 season when Gillingham won the old Division 4 title on goal difference from Carlisle United.

Are you a season ticket holder?

Steve: I am not a season ticket holder as I live away.

David: Yes, I've held a season ticket for many, many years now.

Age?

Steve: I'm 68.

David: 21 plus 59!

Favourite Player?

Steve: If pushed... David Peach, who went on to play for Southampton, but Bradley Dack, Steve Bruce, Tony Cascarino, Brian Yeo, John Simpson, etc, etc.

David: There are so many that could fall into this category, but in recent years, I'd say my favourite has to be striker Cody McDonald, who played for us between 2010 and 2017 and scored 105 goals. He was very quick, both in pace and thinking, and worked well with several different pairings during his time at Priestfield. From today's squad, I'd have to pick Conor Masterson, who has been outstanding alongside Max Ehmer in defence. I'm hoping he'll be back in the side soon after his injury!

How do you feel about Gillingham’s performance so far this season? Which player has impressed you the most?

Steve: Obviously, I am very pleased with the points total. Very pleased indeed. Maybe I sound like a manager now... "it's a team performance." That is exactly the sound bite you get out of Bonner, and in this case, it is true. With the obvious exception of Bradley Dack, I would not say we have too many "stars," but we field a team ready to shed blood, sweat, and tears.

David: Considering our injury list (we've had between 5 and 7 regular starters out all season), we have done exceptionally well. Armani Little has been particularly impressive since joining us from AFC Wimbledon in the summer, and youngsters Jayden Clarke and Joe Gbode are both flourishing under Mark Bonner. I'm sure they will continue to improve and make valuable contributions this season.

What are your thoughts on the team’s current tactics? Do you think they need to make any changes to stay competitive?

Steve: We have only conceded two league goals. If we carry on like that, we will be in with a shout. We have had injuries, and I am not sure if we have hit top gear yet. That's encouraging.

David: Still, the tactics have most certainly worked with four wins from six! Mind you, I am still an advocate of 4-4-2 and do wonder if at some point there will be a switch from one up to an attacking pair once Elliot Nevitt and Josh Andrews are both fully fit.

How confident are you in Gillingham’s chances of maintaining their position in the top three? Which upcoming match do you think will be the toughest?

Steve: If we can keep Bradley Dack fit, I am confident of a play-off spot. He really is a quality player, but obviously, it will be a challenge to get 30+ games out of him. Another sound bite is "there are no easy games," but I am comfortable we will take six points off the Plastics. Tougher games? Notts, Barrow, and Doncaster are all six-pointers. Twelve points from those games would be a huge step towards promotion.

David: I think we are good enough to maintain a promotion push and would like to think we've got a realistic chance of an automatic spot, but there are several very good sides in this division, including Notts County, Chesterfield, and Doncaster Rovers, so it's going to be a real fight throughout the season. The toughest match? They are all tough!

What do you think of the new signings this season? Have any of them exceeded your expectations?

Steve: I refer to my earlier answer, as they say in the Commons. Bradley Dack is the standout signing. A lot depends on him. Let's hope he can start proving everyone's faith very soon.

David: I'm very pleased with our recruitment for this season and with how most of the new signings are shaping up. As I said, Armani Little has been particularly impressive, while, on the other hand, I think Jack Nolan has been a bit below par, but it's only a matter of time before he starts to fire on all cylinders. As for Bradley Dack, there's no doubt that on his day he will be right up there as one of the best attacking midfielders in the business, but it's all about getting him fit as he's hardly played any football for some time. If he gets fit, we will be a real force for sure!

What are your thoughts on the manager’s decisions so far? Do you think he has the right strategy for the rest of the season?

Steve: I was not convinced with the choice of Mark Bonner. I thought Stephen Clemence had done okay. I thought Neil Harris would also have brought success given time. To be honest, I am quite impressed. The defence looks strong, the keeper is fine, and he has fostered a strong squad feeling with a committed dressing room. I am not eating my words, but I am reasonably optimistic. He is focused on what I am... promotion. Anything else is not acceptable, to be blunt.

David: Mark Bonner has really impressed so far and has made the right call in most games. He's done particularly well in the last two home games when we've had a player sent off on the hour mark, as his substitutions all worked really well - just ask Tranmere after last weekend when we broke out from a solid defence to score twice late in the game.

How do you feel about the team’s performance in cup competitions? Do you think they should focus more on the league or balance both?

Steve: A nice FA Cup run would be nice and can often help a league campaign. I'll forego it if we go up!

David: Personally, I'm not too fussed about the League Cup or the Trophy, but I would love a run once again in the FA Cup, which is the cup competition that most of us really care about.

What are your expectations for the rest of the season? Do you think Gillingham can challenge Notts County for the top spot?

Steve: Going out on a limb, yes, I think we can go all the way this season. Yes, it's a long way to go, but from what we have seen so far, we are definitely in with a chance. A 1-0 win at Meadow Lane would do our season no harm.

David: My expectation is that we will hopefully feature in the promotion race throughout the season and will have a good go at an automatic promotion spot. As for today's game, a lot may depend on who is available (back from injury) for our side, but I think a 1-1 draw is the most likely result. It will be two very good teams going head-to-head, I'm sure!

Final comments from Chris

Both teams will be eager to make the most of the game, so it could be a very difficult match for both respective teams. For Notts, it will be a good insight as to how the team will cope against coming up against an inform team at Meadow Lane, with the likes of Dan Crowley and Jodi Jones recently having been influential in the magpies recent 4-2 away win over Bromley. Gillingham will be looking to cause as much trouble as possible early on, so defensively Notts must be ready to take on that challenge. I suspect Gillingham will want to try to retain as much of the possession as possible, so it will be interesting to see if Notts can retain their usual high amounts, and if the Gills' will focus on pushing back Notts forcing them to be more creative going forward. I have this down as a 2-1 home win, although I don't deny the quality of the opposition.

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The interview with Gillingham fans highlights just how much they back Bradley Dack to lead them to success. His importance to their squad is evident, and keeping him fit could be crucial for their campaign. Our defence will need to be particularly vigilant to counter his creativity and goal-scoring prowess. On the flip side, our offensive strategy needs to focus on opening up their sturdy defence, which has only conceded a few league goals. Our players must be prepared for a physically demanding game, but if we stay disciplined and exploit opportunities, there's a lot we can achieve. Overall, a big game awaits, and I’m hopeful our squad is ready to take on the challenge.

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gillingham are a good team at this level and its nice to see an insight into them from their fans, it shows how important we have to keep our eyes on their key players. that seems to be bradley deck, but both teams sound as if they have good defences. i know we can be wobbly at times but at meadow lane its been generally quite calm. thank you steve and david, good luck with your season after playing us. :)

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Another great article about the perspective of an opposition fan.

Gillingham have made a good start to the season & I'm sure they will be up near the top of the table challenging for promotion or a playoff space at season's end.

The Gillingham match will be a tough match. Gillingham are very good defensively, & they are a good footballing side. 

Notts won't have it all their way possession wise in the match but that could play into Notts's hands because Notts have shown they are good on the break .

Notts just need to ensure they don't make defensive mistakes, because Gillingham will be looking for them.

If Notts play to their best, as they have shown for the last few matches, Notts should get the win on Saturday.

Somehow I don't think it will be a high scoring game. A 1:0 win for Notts would be a great result.

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Good insights! It’s nice to read level-headed fans talk and open up about their team. I wasn’t aware of their injury issues. It says a lot about them for being able to continue as if it doesn’t affect them. So, good start for them, but I am hoping we can keep winning at Meadow Lane. No game is easy, but we have to be at our best, and a good performance would build more confidence.

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It should be a good game. I would take a draw myself, but I think it’s a game where both teams must give their best. I thought it was interesting how PON highlighted the other day that last year we were second and Gillingham were top. It shows both teams started brightly again, so let’s hope Saturday’s game is a thriller.

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It’s nice to read and understand more about Gillingham. Their fans have given a good account. It’s interesting to read the comments about their former managers. We know what it’s like to go through them, but Gillingham are a very good League Two team. For me, this will be the hardest game since our opening game against Tranmere Rovers. The Gills have a good squad who could cause us trouble.

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I think both teams would take a draw, but I don’t think either of us will settle for that until the referee blows the final whistle. I like the answers Steve and David have given. It’s good to see the thoughts of the Gillingham fans, and both seem to be on similar wavelengths, which gives us a clearer picture. It’s going to be a tough game, but I hope it’s entertaining with both teams trying to win it.

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Reading about Gillingham’s fans and their views gives us a good idea of what to expect. They have a strong belief in their squad's depth and tactics, particularly appreciating the role of Mark Bonner. From a Notts perspective, this upcoming match demands a high level of tactical awareness and energy. Our midfield will need to be dynamic in both breaking up play and creating opportunities going forward. The Gills have highlighted the potential of Bradley Dack and Conor Masterson, so marking them effectively will be crucial. I expect a fiercely contested game, but I believe we have the quality and team spirit to come out on top. Let’s support our lads and hope for a brilliant match!

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This upcoming game against Gillingham is shaping up to be a real test for us. Their fans seem confident in their team's resilience, particularly noting the tactical abilities of Mark Bonner. It's evident they have a lot of respect for their defensive lineup, which means we need to be sharp and aggressive going forward. Our recent form has been commendable with key players like Dan Crowley and Jodi Jones shining, but we will need every ounce of determination and skill to take on a team that is flying high in confidence. A focused and strategic approach from our side might just tip the scales in our favour.

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It’s clear from this interview that Gillingham’s fans are very pleased with their team’s performance this season. They respect how well the team has handled injuries and remained competitive. For us at Notts, facing such a resilient squad won’t be easy. Our key to success will be maintaining high pressure and using quick transitions to stretch their defence. Players like Crowley and Jones have been vital in recent matches, and their creativity will be crucial in breaking down Gillingham’s back line. It’s a big test, but one we’re certainly capable of passing.

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The name Bradley Dack sends shivers up my spine. 03 May 2015, Notts lead 0-1 through Graham Burke... all changes in 88th minute and we leak 2 further goals in injury time to lose 3-1 and with it, relegation to EFL2. Bradley was the stand out player that day, no surprise he moved up the leagues!

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Brilliant interviews with the Gillingham fans, excellent questions too. They seem to share similar thoughts, perhaps because they are mature fans who have been around the club for many years. It provides good insight into what they feel about their team and the upcoming game against them.

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