[ 22 Aug 15 ] GILLS v Wigan Athletic Match Thread

[fan_of_mulligan]

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

----------------------------------Nelson---------------------------------------
Jackson-------------Egan------------------Oshilaja---------------B.Dickenson
----------------------------------Wright----------------------------------------
-------------------Houghton--------------Hessenthaler------------------------
-----------------------------------Dack------------------------------------------
--------------------Norris------------------Williamson---------------------------

Subs: G.Morris (GK), Ehmer, Garmston, Oldaker, McGlashan, McDonald, Donnelly

The only change Justin Edinburgh will probably take into consideration is whether Ben Williamson or Rory Donnelly play alongside Luke Norris in attack, other then that I think Gillingham will stick with the same-team that won 2-1 away at Bradford City on Tuesday Night - which means that Bradley Garmston and Max Ehmer will have to make do with sitting on the substitutes bench.

Cody McDonald will hopefully get 15-20 minutes tomorrow and it would be great to see him back in The First Team Squad, although we have been doing exceptionally well in his absence, One thing that worries me tomorrow is that Trevor Kettle is referee and we know how bad a referee he is, Trevor Kettle makes Gavin Ward look like Pierluigi Collina and that's how bad Trevor Kettle is as a referee, there are some referee's you hope to avoid seeing on game-day and Trevor Kettle is one of those referee's you know who is going to spoil the game, before the match even kicks off.

Here's hoping that Gillingham can build on there decent start to the season by winning tomorrow - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

A tough game against a side with one of the best strike partnerships in the league.If we could get anywhere near the Sheffield Utd performance then it would be fantastic.This is my first game,so hoping for a good performance.

[Garawa]

Wigan have won just 2 and lost 8 of their last 13 matches whilst the Gills come into the match with just 1 loss in 10 in all competitions.

It is all square in the head to head between the clubs with both the Gills and Wigan winning 13 each and 6 ending in draws.

Wigan have won 3 of the last 4 meetings home and away but the Gills won the last outing - a 2-1 win at Priestfield in February 2005.

The Gills have won 4 of the last 6 against Wigan at Priestfield whilst the visitors have won just once.

Wigan won 6 away games last season with 4 coming in consecutive games in Feb/Mar. They've drawn 1 and lost 4 of their last 5 since.

Wigan have failed to score in 4 of their last 5 away matches scoring just 2 and conceding 10.

3:02
Kick-Off

3:39
GOAL! Gillingham 1-0 Wigan: Dack

3:42
Last season Wigan conceded the opening goal in 28 of their 46 league games and ended up losing 23 of those (recovering to win once).

3:50
Half-time: 1-0

3:55
Wigan were unbeaten last season when leading at the break winning 8 out of 11 but lost 13 of the 17 they were losing (winning just 1).

4:06
The second half kicks off.

4:16
Luke Norris hits the woodwork after a point blank stop by Nelson.

4:42
Bradley Dack wins a penalty.

4:43
GOAL! Gillingham 2-0 Wigan: Dack (pen)

4:56
Full-time: 2-0

Attendance: 5,692 (286)
Referee: Trevor Kettle

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

This was my first look at this young Gills side,and I have to say I was really impressed.We played a high pressing game to stop the quality Wigan have,and it worked really well.Every player put 100% effort in on a boiling hot day.Dack`s quality again being the difference on the day.We have some player,but for how much longer? Wigan didn`t create much,their only chance I can remember is where Nelson`s reflexes were needed.1-0 is a dangerous score,but once Dack was fouled in the box and he scored the penalty it was 2-0 and game over.Like Sheffield Utd this was a great result against one of the favourites.Our start has been fantastic and to sit top even at this early stage on 10 points is exciting.

[CadburyMan]

Like Kent_Ucky this was my first look & have to say I was seriously impressed. Lot of confidence and playing without fear. A lot of good individual performances but even better was the collective team performance.

[Garawa]

Even better for me was how we dealt with a side trying to neutralise our threat. They played 5 in midfield in order to try and keep possession there. Before the match Jed expected them to have the lions share of possession but it ended 50-50. In the past when we have been outnumbered in midfield we have struggled to get on the ball and end up lumping long balls from defence up to the strikers only for the opposition defence to head away again. Yesterday we simply found the gaps in between and battled for every ball. Hessenthaler, Wright & Houghton were constantly breaking it up and even Dack dropped back to do some as well. It left a lot of pressure on Dickenson and Jackson who were left exposed by it but their pace allowed us to push forward and push them back!

The team is working very hard and playing attractive passing football as well. If we can score and keep clean sheets when both being allowed to play and also when teams try to stifle us the signs are good. Whether Dack is scoring so frequently as he doesn't feel obliged to find Cody I don't know but if Mac comes back both score often its going to be stunning!

[Rimshot]

The Dackster !!! We won't keep him of course but let's enjoy what he brings to the side while he's here. GFC top of the league.