Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Reports and reaction from the 2017-2018 season as Walsall finished 19th in League 1
- Welsh_Saddler
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Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
"Vanguard of Liberty, ye men of Kent,
Ye children of a soil that doth advance
Her haughty brow against the coast of France,
Now is the time to prove your hardiment!"
(William Wordsworth - "To the men of Kent")
Gillingham endured a wretched start to this season, and by the time Steve Lovell was appointed Manager in October they were bottom-but-one in the League One table, with only Plymouth Argyle rock bottom .... and how the fortunes of both of those clubs have changed. The Gills are currently in the top half, only 6 points away from the play-offs (and Argyle will get in to the play-offs if they're not careful!). The transformation in Gillingham's situation can be fairly and squarely laid at the door of Lovell - a man who made 233 appearances for the club and returned as caretaker manager after his playing days were over, and in his time he's washed the kit, made the tea, and driven the youth team's bus to away matches. His motivational skills were seen after a month in post when the Gills came to Bescot in November, took the lead against the run of play before being reduced to 10 men and still winning 0-1.
Losing 0-1 at home to Gillingham may ring a bell with older Walsall supporters ... certainly when I was much younger I regarded Gillingham as our bogey side, and the name Brian Yeo seemed to feature time after time in victories at Fellows Park.
More recently the two clubs have had a connection (of sorts) in the form of Simeon Jackson who signed a 3-year contract for Gillingham in 2008, Gillingham paying £150,000 for his services. He then went on to play for Norwich City in the Premier League.
Gillingham's current League One form:-
13 Jan Rochdale (H) Won 2-1
20 Jan Scunthorpe United (A) Won 1-3
27 Jan Fleetwood Town (H) Won 2-1
3 Feb Wigan Athletic (A) Lost 2-0
10 Feb Peterborough United (H) Drew 1-1
13 Feb Northampton Town (A) Won 1-2
So .... can Jon Whitney find a way to extend our current three match unbeaten run? His current method of striker selection appears to be to rotate Bakayoko, Shaibu and Ngoy and it's difficult to predict their individual match form, dependent as it is on the calibre of the defenders they're up against. Devlin's recent recall has apparently had a positive effect but there is still no sign of Krystian Bielik, whose "niggling" injury is proving to be a bigger problem than previously thought - and his commitment to Walsall has also been brought into question ... all things for JW to ponder.
Prediction? I'll be happy with a 1-1 draw for this one, with Oztumer back on the goal trail.
UTS :D
Ye children of a soil that doth advance
Her haughty brow against the coast of France,
Now is the time to prove your hardiment!"
(William Wordsworth - "To the men of Kent")
Gillingham endured a wretched start to this season, and by the time Steve Lovell was appointed Manager in October they were bottom-but-one in the League One table, with only Plymouth Argyle rock bottom .... and how the fortunes of both of those clubs have changed. The Gills are currently in the top half, only 6 points away from the play-offs (and Argyle will get in to the play-offs if they're not careful!). The transformation in Gillingham's situation can be fairly and squarely laid at the door of Lovell - a man who made 233 appearances for the club and returned as caretaker manager after his playing days were over, and in his time he's washed the kit, made the tea, and driven the youth team's bus to away matches. His motivational skills were seen after a month in post when the Gills came to Bescot in November, took the lead against the run of play before being reduced to 10 men and still winning 0-1.
Losing 0-1 at home to Gillingham may ring a bell with older Walsall supporters ... certainly when I was much younger I regarded Gillingham as our bogey side, and the name Brian Yeo seemed to feature time after time in victories at Fellows Park.
More recently the two clubs have had a connection (of sorts) in the form of Simeon Jackson who signed a 3-year contract for Gillingham in 2008, Gillingham paying £150,000 for his services. He then went on to play for Norwich City in the Premier League.
Gillingham's current League One form:-
13 Jan Rochdale (H) Won 2-1
20 Jan Scunthorpe United (A) Won 1-3
27 Jan Fleetwood Town (H) Won 2-1
3 Feb Wigan Athletic (A) Lost 2-0
10 Feb Peterborough United (H) Drew 1-1
13 Feb Northampton Town (A) Won 1-2
So .... can Jon Whitney find a way to extend our current three match unbeaten run? His current method of striker selection appears to be to rotate Bakayoko, Shaibu and Ngoy and it's difficult to predict their individual match form, dependent as it is on the calibre of the defenders they're up against. Devlin's recent recall has apparently had a positive effect but there is still no sign of Krystian Bielik, whose "niggling" injury is proving to be a bigger problem than previously thought - and his commitment to Walsall has also been brought into question ... all things for JW to ponder.
Prediction? I'll be happy with a 1-1 draw for this one, with Oztumer back on the goal trail.
UTS :D
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Unbeaten in our last 5 visits to Kent I understand...a big change from when were were young WELSH however I will go for a continuation of that run...Walsall to win!!!!
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
They're in good form. Give me a draw now and i'd be happy.
Whitney Out.
Whitney Out.
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
This could well be another win. Their form has dipped in the last 3 matches with 1w, 1d & 1l. If they play from the start this is winnable as they appear to be vulnerable if they don,t get in front early. Do their fans get at them!
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saddla - Site Addict
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Welsh_Saddler wrote:"Vanguard of Liberty, ye men of Kent,
Ye children of a soil that doth advance
Her haughty brow against the coast of France,
Now is the time to prove your hardiment!"
(William Wordsworth - "To the men of Kent")
Gillingham endured a wretched start to this season, and by the time Steve Lovell was appointed Manager in October they were bottom-but-one in the League One table, with only Plymouth Argyle rock bottom .... and how the fortunes of both of those clubs have changed. The Gills are currently in the top half, only 6 points away from the play-offs (and Argyle will get in to the play-offs if they're not careful!). The transformation in Gillingham's situation can be fairly and squarely laid at the door of Lovell - a man who made 233 appearances for the club and returned as caretaker manager after his playing days were over, and in his time he's washed the kit, made the tea, and driven the youth team's bus to away matches. His motivational skills were seen after a month in post when the Gills came to Bescot in November, took the lead against the run of play before being reduced to 10 men and still winning 0-1.
Losing 0-1 at home to Gillingham may ring a bell with older Walsall supporters ... certainly when I was much younger I regarded Gillingham as our bogey side, and the name Brian Yeo seemed to feature time after time in victories at Fellows Park.
More recently the two clubs have had a connection (of sorts) in the form of Simeon Jackson who signed a 3-year contract for Gillingham in 2008, Gillingham paying £150,000 for his services. He then went on to play for Norwich City in the Premier League.
Gillingham's current League One form:-
13 Jan Rochdale (H) Won 2-1
20 Jan Scunthorpe United (A) Won 1-3
27 Jan Fleetwood Town (H) Won 2-1
3 Feb Wigan Athletic (A) Lost 2-0
10 Feb Peterborough United (H) Drew 1-1
13 Feb Northampton Town (A) Won 1-2
So .... can Jon Whitney find a way to extend our current three match unbeaten run? His current method of striker selection appears to be to rotate Bakayoko, Shaibu and Ngoy and it's difficult to predict their individual match form, dependent as it is on the calibre of the defenders they're up against. Devlin's recent recall has apparently had a positive effect but there is still no sign of Krystian Bielik, whose "niggling" injury is proving to be a bigger problem than previously thought - and his commitment to Walsall has also been brought into question ... all things for JW to ponder.
Prediction? I'll be happy with a 1-1 draw for this one, with Oztumer back on the goal trail.
UTS :D
Just to be pedantic Welsh, Gillingham people are Kentish men rather than men o'Kent :mrgreen:
Edward Hasted, in his 1798 description of Rainham, writes: "The whole of this parish is in the division of East Kent which begins here, the adjoining parish of Gillingham, westward, being wholly in that of West Kent."
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Tricky one this. I’ll go for a goalless draw with a guarantee of a lesser away following than last week.
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Fingers crossed for 2-2 and a very good draw... UTS
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
going for a win 1-2 and us going on a bit of a run :D
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Gillingham were, like Plymouth, at the bottom of the League earlier in the season, as Welsh so aptly pointed out.
However, they changed their Manager, and look where they are now, where we should have been, and at least win Optimistic's bet, if our Board could have had the guts and foresight to do similar. Now, thanks to the occasional application of new recruits, we have hit a mini revival, which will mean being stuck with this no hoper in charge for probably yet another disaster of a season.
Heart says a good 2-2 draw. Head says a 0-2 defeat. My hearts crud obviously, so the latter result more probable.
Bakayoko to start up front? of course, it's a given. Arsenal crocked defender still nowhere to be seen. (perhaps he might put in a ten minute stint at Fleetwood?)
However, they changed their Manager, and look where they are now, where we should have been, and at least win Optimistic's bet, if our Board could have had the guts and foresight to do similar. Now, thanks to the occasional application of new recruits, we have hit a mini revival, which will mean being stuck with this no hoper in charge for probably yet another disaster of a season.
Heart says a good 2-2 draw. Head says a 0-2 defeat. My hearts crud obviously, so the latter result more probable.
Bakayoko to start up front? of course, it's a given. Arsenal crocked defender still nowhere to be seen. (perhaps he might put in a ten minute stint at Fleetwood?)
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Optimistic - UTS Veteran
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Ancient Moaner wrote:Gillingham were, like Plymouth, at the bottom of the League earlier in the season, as Welsh so aptly pointed out.
However, they changed their Manager, and look where they are now, where we should have been, and at least win Optimistic's bet, if our Board could have had the guts and foresight to do similar. Now, thanks to the occasional application of new recruits, we have hit a mini revival, which will mean being stuck with this no hoper in charge for probably yet another disaster of a season.
Heart says a good 2-2 draw. Head says a 0-2 defeat. My hearts crud obviously, so the latter result more probable.
Bakayoko to start up front? of course, it's a given. Arsenal crocked defender still nowhere to be seen. (perhaps he might put in a ten minute stint at Fleetwood?)
Never seem to agree, do we AM. I don't wear this new manager idea, West Brom tried it and they are rock bottom. With regards to Gillingham they have had a good run since the new manager arrived but they were lucky to beat us at home. Turn just that one result round to 1-0 to us and they would still be 2 points below us. That's how close it is at the moment and the fans need to get behind the team at away games if the 12th man theory works.
With regards to Plymouth they have the same manager who was under pressure earlier in the season but he has turned it round. I suppose that they will be stuck with him next season now as well. The new manager burst of form does not last forever, only until the novelty wears off and the players do the same old thing.
Give your heart a break and start thinking positive, it's the best tonic you can get. :wink:
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SaigonSaddler - Site Addict
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Optimistic wrote:Ancient Moaner wrote:Gillingham were, like Plymouth, at the bottom of the League earlier in the season, as Welsh so aptly pointed out.
However, they changed their Manager, and look where they are now, where we should have been, and at least win Optimistic's bet, if our Board could have had the guts and foresight to do similar. Now, thanks to the occasional application of new recruits, we have hit a mini revival, which will mean being stuck with this no hoper in charge for probably yet another disaster of a season.
Heart says a good 2-2 draw. Head says a 0-2 defeat. My hearts crud obviously, so the latter result more probable.
Bakayoko to start up front? of course, it's a given. Arsenal crocked defender still nowhere to be seen. (perhaps he might put in a ten minute stint at Fleetwood?)
Never seem to agree, do we AM. I don't wear this new manager idea, West Brom tried it and they are rock bottom. With regards to Gillingham they have had a good run since the new manager arrived but they were lucky to beat us at home. Turn just that one result round to 1-0 to us and they would still be 2 points below us. That's how close it is at the moment and the fans need to get behind the team at away games if the 12th man theory works.
With regards to Plymouth they have the same manager who was under pressure earlier in the season but he has turned it round. I suppose that they will be stuck with him next season now as well. The new manager burst of form does not last forever, only until the novelty wears off and the players do the same old thing.
Give your heart a break and start thinking positive, it's the best tonic you can get. :wink:
Northampton had a bounce but it seems to have tailed off. It's very much on a case by case basis and for every notable success there's a dismal failure. O'Dismal, Barnwell and Merson classic examples of our own.
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Ancient Moaner wrote:Gillingham were, like Plymouth, at the bottom of the League earlier in the season, as Welsh so aptly pointed out.
However, they changed their Manager, and look where they are now, where we should have been, and at least win Optimistic's bet, if our Board could have had the guts and foresight to do similar. Now, thanks to the occasional application of new recruits, we have hit a mini revival, which will mean being stuck with this no hoper in charge for probably yet another disaster of a season.
Heart says a good 2-2 draw. Head says a 0-2 defeat. My hearts crud obviously, so the latter result more probable.
Bakayoko to start up front? of course, it's a given. Arsenal crocked defender still nowhere to be seen. (perhaps he might put in a ten minute stint at Fleetwood?)
*Looks at table, expecting Gills to be top 6. Finds them also stuck in mid table just 4 points ahead of Walsall with the Saddlers having a game in hand. :mrgreen: *
Now the form team of the league are Roverum who you seem to be ignoring a bit Ancient... :wink:
Difficult to call today. If the defence was better away from home I'd go for 0-0 but fear it could be a 1-0 loss as the away form remains mediocre.
Gills have done well. Considering how many good players they lost in the summer I had them down as bottom 4 certs and first three months they were in the relegation zone but looks like that flukely 1-0 win at Bescot has totally changed their season.
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Baka. starts instead of Shaibu.....no sign of Ngoy. Injured ?
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
To answer my own question...Ngoy is ill and didn't travel.
- Welsh_Saddler
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Starting line-up against Gillingham:-
Roberts
Devlin
Fitzwater
Guthrie
Leahy
Morris
Dobson
Chambers
Edwards
Oztumer
Bakayoko
Substitutes: Gillespie, Cuvelier, Kinsella, Shaibu, Flanagan, Roberts, Kouhyar
Gillingham's bench includes Franck Moussa ........ :roll:
Roberts
Devlin
Fitzwater
Guthrie
Leahy
Morris
Dobson
Chambers
Edwards
Oztumer
Bakayoko
Substitutes: Gillespie, Cuvelier, Kinsella, Shaibu, Flanagan, Roberts, Kouhyar
Gillingham's bench includes Franck Moussa ........ :roll:
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chunkster - Site Addict
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
I think that i will revise my prediction to 2-0 loss :(
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Elsewhere, early goals in Essex - Southend Utd 2 Portsmouth 0 (Southend's 2nd goal scored by Demetriou)
M K Dons 0 Charlton Athletic 1 (10 min)
Scunthorpe Utd 1 Northampton Town 1 (edited)
Doncaster Rovers 2 Fleetwood Town 0 (edited)
M K Dons 0 Charlton Athletic 1 (10 min)
Scunthorpe Utd 1 Northampton Town 1 (edited)
Doncaster Rovers 2 Fleetwood Town 0 (edited)
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Gillingham shot hits the Walsall woodwork, 20 min :?
31 minutes ... George Dobson has the first on-target shot of the game (from either side)
Southend Utd 2 Portsmouth 1
Sloppies 0 Rotherham Utd 1 (43 min)
Oxford Utd 0 Plymouth Argyle 1 (45 min)
0-0 at half time :D (in the match that matters!)
31 minutes ... George Dobson has the first on-target shot of the game (from either side)
Southend Utd 2 Portsmouth 1
Sloppies 0 Rotherham Utd 1 (43 min)
Oxford Utd 0 Plymouth Argyle 1 (45 min)
0-0 at half time :D (in the match that matters!)
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
2nd half underway. attendance 4682 (209 Walsall)
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Approaching the hour mark - no signs of substitutions as yet......... meanwhile
Doncaster Rovers 3 Fleetwood Town 0
Scunthorpe Utd 1 Northampton Town 2
M K Dons 1 Charlton Athletic 2
After an hour at Gillingham, the on-target count is one from each side. Doesn't sound like a very inspiring game ..... :?
Doncaster Rovers 3 Fleetwood Town 0
Scunthorpe Utd 1 Northampton Town 2
M K Dons 1 Charlton Athletic 2
After an hour at Gillingham, the on-target count is one from each side. Doesn't sound like a very inspiring game ..... :?
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Sub for the Gills: Conor Wilkinson On, Callum Reilly Off.
Gills hit the post. Let off.
Gills hit the post. Let off.
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Walsall substitution, 68 minutes......... Maz Kouhyar replaces Kieron Morris, and Shaibu on for Baka
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Subs for Walsall: Max Kouhyar On, Kieron Morris Off. Justin Shaibu On, Amadou Bakayoko Of
sub for the Gills: Scott Wagstaff On, Luke O'Neill Off. 73 mins
Sub for Walsall: Florent Cuvelier On, Erhun Ozthumer Off. 76 mins
sub for the Gills: Scott Wagstaff On, Luke O'Neill Off. 73 mins
Sub for Walsall: Florent Cuvelier On, Erhun Ozthumer Off. 76 mins
Last edited by BarnsleySaddler on Sat Feb 17, 2018 4:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Walsall's 3rd substitution, 74 minutes.......... Cuvelier on for Turkish Messi
Scunthorpe Utd 2 Northampton Town 2
Southend Utd 3 Portsmouth 1 - Portsmouth down to 10 men
Gillingham shot blocked - it's "bodies on the line" time, with 10 minutes to go.
Walsall yellow card, 84 minutes ......... George Dobson
And a Gillingham one at the same time !! - Conor Wilkinson
0-0 at full time. A hard-earned point by the sound of it - well done !!!
Scunthorpe Utd 2 Northampton Town 2
Southend Utd 3 Portsmouth 1 - Portsmouth down to 10 men
Gillingham shot blocked - it's "bodies on the line" time, with 10 minutes to go.
Walsall yellow card, 84 minutes ......... George Dobson
And a Gillingham one at the same time !! - Conor Wilkinson
0-0 at full time. A hard-earned point by the sound of it - well done !!!
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
FT: Gillingham 0-0 Walsall. A hard won point for the lads.
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
A good point in my view.....4 unbeaten now..UTS
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
Difficult to call today. If the defence was better away from home I'd go for 0-0 but fear it could be a 1-0 loss as the away form remains mediocre.
Defence turned up today. :)
Decent point. Game will be forgotten by the time the coaches leave the Medway.
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Re: Gillingham (A) Feb 17th, 3pm
BarnsleySaddler wrote:FT: Gillingham 0-0 Walsall. A hard won point for the lads.
We are certainly grinding out the results at the moment and a 2nd clean sheet in 4 games. Of the loan signings Fitzwater seems to have had an impact. It sounds as if the home side were dominant (as in the game at our place) which makes the point all the sweeter.
UTS
Last edited by BathSaddler on Sat Feb 17, 2018 5:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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