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Post by hatter_in_macc on Dec 18, 2023 15:23:00 GMT
We knew this was coming, given Gillingham's continued involvement in the Cup - although hard to summon a great deal of joy over the prospect of a Tuesday night schlep down to Kent in February!
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Post by gazz on Dec 18, 2023 16:12:25 GMT
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Feb 18, 2024 9:44:56 GMT
Just turning this into the Match Thread, ahead of Tuesday.
You know what to do...
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Post by gazz on Feb 18, 2024 10:25:38 GMT
Panic?  |
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Post by autistichatter on Feb 18, 2024 18:41:52 GMT
OK, let's get this over with shall we? What can we say about Gillingham then? They sit in 11th place with a record of W 14 D 5 L 13 F 31 A 39. Only the basement dwelling FGR (32) and Sutton (35) have scored fewer goals than the Gills. Conversely, only County and Wombles, both on 37, and Mansfield (28) have conceded fewer, although Barrow and Bratfut also match the Gills on goals against. Their H record is modest - W 7 D 4 L 5 F 17 A 19, which puts them 16th in L2, but still merits respect. Maybe a 0-0 draw would suit County better than a 3-4 win?
Their Ws are County (a) 0-1 on opening day, Accy Stanley (h) 1-0, Sutton (a) 0-1, Crawley (a) 0-1, Harrogate (h) 1-0, Morecambe (h) 2-1, MKD (h) 2-1, Swindon (a) 0-1, Salford (h) 3-1, AFC Wombles (h) 1-0, Sutton (h) 1-0, Cole U (a) 0-1, Accy Stanley (a) 1-2 and Notts County (a) 1-3. Their Ds are Mansfield (h) 1-1, FGR (a) 0-0, FGR (h) 1-1, Walsall (h) 1-1 and Swindon (h) 2-2. Their Ls are Cole U (h) 0-3, Grimsby (a) 2-0, Donny (a) 2-1, Crewe (a) 2-0, Walsall (a) 4-1, Notts County (h) 1-2, Newport (h) 0-2, Wrexham (a) 2-0, Tranmere (a) 3-1, Bratfut (h) 0-2, Crawley (h) 0-2, MKD (a) 2-1 and Newport (a) 1-0.
That's a very mixed bag, quite a few Ws against mid/upper table teams but only two or three top sides, and they've scored 3 just twice. Then again they've kept 10 clean sheets and only conceded three or more three times.
The goal shortage is underlined by their top scorers, Winger Connor Mahoney (on season long loan from Huddersfield), and 6ft 3 D Conor Masterson, both on 5, yes, 5. Mahoney started at Accy Stanley, then had short spells at Blackburn, Bournemouth, Barnsley and Birmingham before a permanent move to Millwall (3 goals in 60 apps) and Huddersfield (9 apps). Masterson started at Liverpool then moved to QPR, then loan moves to Swindon, Cambridge and the Gills before a permanent move to Priestfield. Much travelled forward Macauley Bonne has scored 4 in 25 games before going on loan to Cambridge Utd, also on 4 is much travelled left sided D or MF Scot Malone, he was most recently at Millwall (7 goals in 113 apps over a loan and then permanent role).
One time Mansfield forward, 6ft 6 Oliver Hawkins has scored 3 this term, (5 from 31 apps since joining the Gills. He has wandered around the lower league and non league. 6ft 2 striker Ashley Nadesan has 2 goals from 21 apps, after leaving Crawley (26 goals in 146 apps) as well as spells at Carlisle and Fleetwood. A further 7 players have each scored a goal.
In the January window they first signed versatile D and County target (allegedly) Remao Hutton, then they signed Burton Albion striker Josh Walker (3 goals in 29 apps for Burton after signing from Daggers in the national league). On deadline day the Gills added two more forwards - Watford's Jorge Cabezas Hurtado on loan for the rest of the season. He started at Real Cartagena and since joining Watford has had loans at Independent Medellin and New York Red Bulls (twice(). Joining on a permanent deal from Birmingham was 6ft 5 striker Josh Andrews - in 4 years at Birmingham his apps were all on loan at Harrogate, Rochdale (3 goals in 17 apps), Donny and Accy (5 goals in 20 apps in the first half of this season).
All in all, they look like a pretty solid side, organised, hard working, a bit Land of the Giants, but having lacked firepower which they seem to have addressed in the window. They may be primed to make a late run at the playoffs and I'm sure they'd like to make a start with County. I reckon I'd settle for a solid 0-0 or a 0-1 W but right now it's hard to be confident in County so fingers crossed.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in L2:
8th placed Wombles v 15th placed Crawley
5th placed MKD 3rd placed Wrexham
16th placed Walsall v 10th placed Morecambe
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Post by hermannsays on Feb 19, 2024 16:12:04 GMT
All eyes on making our defence secure...
Cass has come in, started Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday having, it appears, played a single half an hour of competitive football in the 11 weeks prior to his debut 9 days ago.
Similarly, on the left side, it looks like Bristow played a single 20 minutes in the 13 or so weeks before his debut for us in January. DC identified he's stronger going forward than defending when he joined.
Add into the mix Wright joining Pye on the injury list and that's our best options at wide CB out of the equation. Touray has tried at the LCB role but it's just not looked right on any occasion I've watched in person.
Our best central CB is Horsfall, who missed Saturday with illness. His only deputy is Byrne, who hasn't really cemented a starting place over longer runs, though is generally steady.
In essence, the kind of midfield injury nightmare we've experienced (Powell,Sarcevic, Collar, Camps, Hippolyte, Croasdale) has now well and truly struck the defence. At the same time, the player who has consistently over the past years shielded the defence - Croasdale - has looked like he's off it/loss of confidence. And, simply put, we still don't have a clear replacement for such a vital position.
With such a quick turnaround, I'm hoping Horsfall will be able to return as this would at least give us a credible CB pairing with Byrne. Having watched Tuesday, keeping things as simple as possible in defence will hopefully just make it a bit more secure and give us a foundation to compete.
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Post by harrogatehatter on Feb 19, 2024 19:24:53 GMT
I’ve been trying to piece together our fit defenders and make a formation to fit.
Assuming Fraser horsfall is fit then I’d have a back four of Cass, Byrne, Horsfall and Bristow.
Midfield four of Sarc, Collar, croasy and Bailey
Top two of Woots and Tanto
With our injuries it is a case of the players available determining the formation.
If horsfall isn’t fit then I think you’d have to put Cass in the middle and Collar/CLE at full back.
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Post by hermannsays on Feb 19, 2024 20:03:55 GMT
In their last 3 home games, Gillingham have created a high number of chances from set-pieces. Given how badly we've done in the last 2 games on this aspect, if Wootton is available from the start (after getting through his 2 sub appearances) he may well be a good help in our own box... although he was giving away FKs on Tuesday, which didn't help matters!
Another aspect beyond set-pieces is that, without Wright, we lack pace and it's easy to drop and drop, inviting crosses.
Fingers crossed we can put out a gritty showing and give the travelling support something to cheer.
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Post by gazz on Feb 19, 2024 20:11:46 GMT
I'm expecting another thumping, so hopefully my prediction will be wrong.
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Post by ceefer on Feb 19, 2024 21:36:20 GMT
Camps out with a hamstring injury...there's something not quiet right.....Gazz.
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Post by ceefer on Feb 19, 2024 21:37:44 GMT
The best form of defence is attack. We can win if we score more than them - so after Tranmere I'm expecting a 6-7 win. Nothing more, nothing less.......
I have no words to say about our loanees except we really miss Louie Barry.
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Post by gazz on Feb 20, 2024 5:03:51 GMT
Camps out with a hamstring injury...there's something not quiet right.....Gazz. I've been saying it for a while now, it's about time we looked at our strength and conditioning, because something is definitely off with all these injuries. This can't just be a coincidence. |
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Post by countyfan on Feb 20, 2024 11:56:08 GMT
Forwards have forgotten how
A goal is scored! Defenders have forgotten how to
Clear the ball from set plays. Unfortunately I can't see anything other
Than a 2-0 defeat tonight.
For some reason my ability to make the FACT in bold has disappeared? Gazza, Is that an issue I've got or has it gone for everyone?
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Post by gazz on Feb 20, 2024 14:15:55 GMT
Forwards have forgotten how A goal is scored! Defenders have forgotten how to Clear the ball from set plays. Unfortunately I can't see anything other Than a 2-0 defeat tonight. For some reason my ability to make the FACT in bold has disappeared? Gazza, Is that an issue I've got or has it gone for everyone? You've selected underline for some reason, mate. I've changed it for you. |
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Post by gazz on Feb 20, 2024 19:48:20 GMT
Paid for the stream, I can't not watch the lads.
Come on, County.
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