[ 25 Aug 15 ] Birmingham v GILLS (Cup) Match Thread

[Garawa]

There have only been 8 competitive ties with Birmingham. The last time we met in 2001 ended in a draw and City won all the previous 7 encounters.

The Gills have only scored 3 goals in the 8 ties against Birmingham whilst City scored 16. Those 3 goals have come in the last 3 meetings however.

The Gills record in the 2nd round of the league cup away to higher league opposition stands at Won 1, Drew 4 and Lost 13. The only win came in the 1971/72 season at Notts County.

The Gills haven't been past this round since the 2005/6 season when an extra time win at home to Portsmouth set up a Round 3 exit to Doncaster.

It took Bradley Dack 30 games last season before he scored 5 goals for the Gills and 32 games before he scored 6.

The Gills have their best start since 2005 when they were unbeaten in 5. That season they lost the 6th match so avoiding defeat would be the best start since the 1986/87 season.

The Gills have scored in their last 11 league and cup games as well as their last 7 away from home.

7:49
Kick-Off

8:21
Birmingham and the Gills have only been behind in matches for a total of 44 minutes COMBINED with Birmingham yet to be behind in a league match (from 7 league games for both clubs).

8:24
GOAL! Birmingham 1-0 Gillingham

8:35
Half-time: 1-0

8:52
The second half kicks off.

9:20
GOAL! Birmingham 2-0 Gillingham

9:42
FULL-TIME: 2-0

Attendance: 9,275 (382)
Referee: Graham Salisbury

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

This should be a really tough game as Birmingham have started well in the Championship,and have been doing well since they appointed Gary Rowett last season.We`re not expected to win,but that will suit us as we like being underdogs.

Gills Team? Would you make changes and bring in fresh players like Ehmer,Garmston,and McGlashan? There is the worry we could ruin our momentum,but Ehmer & Garmston are very good excitings and should slot in well.McGlashan will be fresh and is capable of troubling City`s defence with his pace.

[baronnight]

It would be nice (and profitable) to have a cup run but the league must be our main focus. Dack will be able to measure his skill against championship defenders which will give him and the scouts a idea of whether he can perform at a higher level.
Dack scored less goals last season but remember he spent most of his game time playing on the wing, this season he is given a free role behind the strikers (as per his youth team position)

[fan_of_mulligan]

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

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

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

I cannot see Justin Edinburgh changing the team that won against Wigan Athletic on Saturday, Cody McDonald is probably not fully fit enough to start but if we need a goal then he would be a very useful player to bring on from the substitutes bench.

I will be traveling via car to St Andrews tomorrow and I can tick off a football stadium I have never been too before, and fingers crossed that Gillingham can cause a cup upset and reach The Third Round of The League Cup and draw one of the big guns at home - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lidbid46]

I'd hide Dack away in a cupboard somewhere and not allow anyone to mention his name. Birmingham are just the sort of club that could notice him when he plays against them and chuck in a cheeky bid before the window closes. Perhaps we could play him in disguise?!!

[CadburyMan]

We probably had the best of the opening 30 minutes but we didn't look overly dangerous; in fact I would go as far as to say we didn't create a meaningful opportunity in that time.

We gave a away a sloppy goal from a corner not long before the interval which gave the impetus to Birmingham who looked the far stronger, more likely side throughout the second period.

Whilst 0 - 2 is disappointing I'm not sure we deserved any different

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

From listening to Gills player it felt like a game too many.There wasn`t anything to really get excited about in the game.The fans sounded very loud,so they did the club proud last night.We were always likely to lose this game,it`s how the young squad responds to the first defeat on Saturday.