Game 30 - The Gills (A)

Team: Gillingham

Date: 01/02/2025

Where: Priestfield Stadium

What line-up should Stuart Maynard opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

its going to be an interesting trip to gillingham, they are a good team at this level and their season is no doubt has not gone to plan but they have some very good players. i think they invested in their team coming into this season, so i am not sure why they are struggle so much. they remind me a bit of what doncaster have been like previous seasons.

I am optimistic about Notts getting the result we need to keep our current position. News of a signing would be a boost before the game. So far, I like the looks of Will Jarvis, and Zak Johnson seems more than capable at the back. Jatta and David McGoldrick are proving to be a good partnership, so I would avoid disrupting that, but I am mindful of the amount of minutes Didzy has played recently. This season, he's been more influential, and you can see how the squad's improvement has helped bring that out of him. Gillingham won't be pushovers, but at this stage, every game is as crucial as the last.

I can see the game ending in a 2-2 draw, but I hope my gut feeling is wrong. It would be impressive to maintain our winning form, so I hope we can push on.

Everyone is fighting for points, and Gillingham won't be happy where they are in the league table. People will take false positions, but I think they should be doing much better than they are. Similarly, Gillingham is closely positioned in the league standings alongside Swindon Town and Colchester United. It just shows how open the league is this season, and the importance of maintaining your form.

Notts has done well in January to bring in players. I agree that Will Jarvis looks like a good player and I look forward to seeing more from him.

There's a lot more depth for us on the bench, and we can manage David McGoldrick by either resting him on the bench or starting to be replaced later on in games if we can afford to take him off. So, I don't worry about that so much now, what with the cover and depth now in the squad.

Gillingham's pitch is a funny one too, it's similar to Meadow Lane's size but is slightly narrower. This can result in a more compact game, with less space for wingers and full-backs to exploit the wide areas. It might lead to more central play and could benefit teams that are strong in the middle of the park. 

Notts will need to be mindful of these differences and adapt their tactics accordingly. They might need to focus on quick, precise passing and maintaining possession to counteract the slightly narrower pitch. So, Stuart Maynard might need to rethink how our inverted wing backs play part in the game and how we can move forward where the play might be tighter.

Gillingham had high hopes for this season but they have surprisingly struggled in the first half of their season losing 12 of their 26 games played so far.

Gillingham do have the potential to beat any team in the league on their day, so Notts need to be at their very best & keep their concentration at the back at all times.

Notts don't have a particularly successful record over recent years against Gillingham & Notts will be keen to change all that on Saturday.

Key areas will be in all three areas of the pitch, defence, Midfield & attacking areas. Surprisingly, I think the Notts midfield & attackers have more room to work away rather than at home.

I think Notts will get a positive result. I would be satisfied with a draw, but a win would be very welcome. I'm going for a 1-1 draw or a 1-2 win for Notts.

Gillingham is known for making matches challenging on their home turf. The importance of rotating play and not sticking to one means of attack is crucial. I agree with the points made by @Chris We have to be strong in the middle of the park, and if we can move the ball quickly, it will open space. It's just common sense and smart football. Hopefully, Notts can create gaps in their play and take some of the chances that come their way. It is an important game to keep our momentum strong.

I feel like we need to get them back after we had that Sam Austin equaliser controversially ruled out when we played them earlier!

I think we have to try and take advantage of their bad form, they are currently on a 7 match winless run. Don’t let them score early and if we start to dominate I’m sure their fans will soon get frustrated.

I wonder if now is the time for some of the new signings to start, sometimes I think it’s easier than constantly having to come off the bench. I’d be tempted to start Johnson just because he is right footed at RCB and one of Jarvis or Whittaker behind Jatta. If Palmer is back and masked up, he’ll probably go straight back into the team likely in place of Hinchy which is a tad unfortunate as he has played well recently.

I don't care if Notts wins ugly. A win is a win, and if we get all the points on offer, I would be very happy regardless. I just want to avoid injuries and defeats. The rest should keep us balanced for promotion.

2 hours ago, menzinho said:

I wonder if now is the time for some of the new signings to start, sometimes I think it’s easier than constantly having to come off the bench. I’d be tempted to start Johnson just because he is right footed at RCB and one of Jarvis or Whittaker behind Jatta.

I feel harsh for suggesting it, but I don't think Charlie Whittaker has done enough to warrant the start. I would much rather see Curtis Edwards play in the open position, even if he is just returning from injury. I get what you are saying, but Whittaker is yet to find his feet, and I am a little unimpressed so far. However, he does need minutes and time to settle in. I think starting him would be a weakness, though everyone will have their own opinion. Will Jarvis does deserve to come in, but I don't think Rod McDonald has done much wrong, so if he's fit, I hope we remain consistent at the back with him, Jacob Bedeau, and Matty Platt.

Gillingham away in January seems like a waste. Gillingham is a game that should be played in August or September. Anyway this is going to be a tough game. I'd be happy with a draw. 

It should be a good match, even if the performance isn't great, we should have enough in the tank to take the game to Gillingham. I don't know how their fans feel, but provided our players are focused on the job at hand, we should leave happy.

It's Matchday. CMON U PIES!!

 

Stuart Maynard's team to face Gillingham.

 

The match begins.

 

Update.

Update.

GOOOOOAAAAAL TSAROULLA.

 

GOOOOOAAAAAL DIDZY 

Stallard: "One and one with the keeper, about twenty-two yards out... and produces a sublime dink with his right foot!" 

Update

 

Half Time 

Gillingham 0 Notts 2.

 

Back to it.

 

I tried to post this at half-time, but I couldn't get a strong enough signal. I am impressed with Notts' start and the two goals. Gillingham seemed to have a game plan, which the goals briefly disrupted. Now that we are 2-0 up and firmly in the second half, we need to play as if the first 45 minutes didn't happen. Don't get complacent and push for a third goal.

Update.

Update

 

Update.

Glad Stuart has took Jones off. He's being targeted again by this awful team.

 

Update 

Mistake by Bass that led to the corner.

Goal for Gillingham from a corner.

Stallard: "A header from six or seven yards out, not particularly powerful. Does that mean we are in for a nervy finish?"

Update