[ 11 Apr 15 ] Gills v Bradford Match Thread

[Garawa]

Bradford have scored first away in the league 11 times and won 8. The Gills scored first at home 7 times and won 6.

In games against Bradford the Gills are the only home to side to win over the last 8 matches and have won 3 overall (losing just the once).

The Gills have won 19 times against Bradford (including 9 of the last 19 ties) whilst City have won 12. There have been 13 draws.

Both the Gills and Bradford have won 3 games in their last 11 league games but the Gills have drawn 5 games in that period to City's 4.

Bradford have only lost 5 times on the road in the league compared with 8 at home. They are unbeaten away in their last 3.

3:03
Kick Off

3:52
Half time: 0-0

4:08
The second half kicks off.

4:26
John Marquis and Aaron Morris come on as subs.

4:35
GOAL! Gillingham 1-0 Bradford City: Marquis

4:57
Full time: 1-0

Referee: Paul Tierney
Attendance: 5,221 (312)

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

Bradford at home on Saturday,and we could do with a good home performance and a win.We have not won at home in four games,and a win would make us safe just not mathematically,as it would be very unlikely a Team would go down on 55 points.Our defending is poor at the moment,but our attacking play makes us a big threat going forward.Bradford are safe and have very slim play-of hopes still.They lost 0-3 at home to Preston on Easter Monday,but they won away at Doncaster 0-3 on Good Friday.

[fan_of_mulligan]

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/edinburgh-targets-home-improvements-34780/

Boss Justin Edinburgh is determined to get Gillingham’s home form back on track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5S_nwkSChM

This is Justin Edinburgh's Pre-Match Press Conference for The Bradford City Game.

[fan_of_mulligan]

I think Gillingham will line up as follows.......................

---------------------------------G.Morris--------------------------------------
Hoyte----------------Egan-------------------Ehmer----------------------Bell
--------------------A.Morris-------------------Loft-----------------------------
McGlashan--------------------------------------------------------------Norris
-----------------------------------Dack----------------------------------------
--------------------------------McDonald--------------------------------------

Subs: Nelson (GK), Legge, Hessenthaler, Pritchard, Muldoon, Dickenson, Marquis

While The 3.4.1.2 formation was a success attacking wise, defensively Gillingham got found out as Darius Henderson caused us a lot of problems at the back with his physical presence and with Jon Stead and James Hanson up-front for Bradford City and Bradford City likely to knock long balls into these two, then I don't think Gillingham will be too adventurous going forward.

Chances are that Justin Edinburgh will stick with his 4.2.3.1 formation he played against Fleetwood Town with two defensive holding midfielder's in-front of the back four, Justin Edinburgh refused to change to one defensive midfielder when he had chances to bring on Brennan Dickenson and then Leon Legge as a emergency centre forward and Aaron Morris and Doug Loft will both protect the back four with Jermaine McGlashan, Luke Norris and Bradley Dack all supporting Cody McDonald up-front - Amari'i Bell will probably have to play as a left winger to provide us with a option on the left wing as Luke Norris will drift inside into a more central position.

After his brace against Leyton Orient on Easter Monday, Cody McDonald has to start because Cody McDonald stuck the ball into the back of the net when the chances came his way, Luke Norris did well to assist Jermaine McGlashan and win the penalty which Cody McDonald scored, but Luke Norris saw his shots on goal saved by Alex Cisak - although 1-2 of those shots were straight at the goalkeeper.

Gillingham need to end the season strongly at home, but three wins out of three against Bradford City, Rochdale and Notts County is going to be very difficult, but that is what Gillingham need to do, one more win will ensure League One Football Next Season, but I don't want to see Gillingham settle on survival, I want to see Gillingham push for a top half / top ten finish between now and the end of the season.

Hopefully we're all smiling at 5PM tomorrow as Gillingham pick up three valuable points - COME ON YOU GILLS!!!!!!!!

[Garawa]

I thought the first half was awful. I heard a lot about Bradford dominating and they certainly did with possession but neither side virtually anything. Glenn Morris was called into action twice and we could have been 2-0 down at the break so to keep a clean sheet in a very physical game against a side with James Hanson, Billy Clarke and John Stead up front was superb. The second started much the same way but we suddenly came to life when Marquis and Morris came on, several chances looked very hard to deal with and we looked a very good side indeed. Unfortunately it only lasted for about 15 minutes but we thankfully scored the only goal during it. For Marquis was man of the match. Not only did he score the winner but the game changed when he came on and he might have had 2 and an assist after coming on as sub on another day.

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

I only saw the score,but is a good result for us.They beat Chelsea away 2-4 and have goals in their Team,so it is great to keep a clean sheet.I thought we would be ok,but this 100% puts any fears of relegation to bed.It looks like Marquis came on and changed the game and scored the all important goal.He may get to start on Saturday now.55 points and a higher points total than last season,so progress is there.

[lidbid46]

Gave marquis mom as well; game changer when he came on. Surely JE has to play him from now on. Kissing the badge at the end was interesting- does he really love it at Gills that much and if so, why doesn't he sign and be done with all the speculation? For someone who has never really achieved much before, why waste the opportunity to make a deal permanent when you find somewhere you fit?

[Garawa]

I'm guessing its that game you get every year. Come in with an early deal quite low that the player laughs off. He scores some goals shows how much he loves it there and waits for an improved offer. These things often drag out deep into the summer and I was surprised when Cody signed so early so perhaps thats why. It seems his current club may want him again so he has options not to sign the first deal that comes his way but I wouldn't re-sign for them after not being given a chance before. Question is can we offer an improved deal before he gets snapped up elsewhere? The facilities we have are great, we are close by, he plays regularly and his partnership with Cody is superb so I bet he signs an improved offer in the summer.

[baronnight]

I went for Glen as without his saves and command of the area we wouldn't have been in the game for the second half.

[Rimshot]

Good to get back to winning ways !