Opposition Chat - Gillingham

Last updated : 27 September 2004 By Graeme Smith
We spoke to Simon Head, the editor of www.gillingham-mad.co.uk

Who are you; where are you from and how long have you supported your club?

I'm Simon Head, I live in Gillingham and I've been supporting the Gills for over 10 years.

What was your first game?

Gillingham v Maidstone United I think.

Describe the most memorable and worst game you've seen and why?

Most memorable: Out two playoff finals top the list for sure.

Worst game?: Pick any one from our last three home games!

Who do you consider as your current local rivals, and why?

To be honest we don't really have a 'local' rival. I suppose Millwall are the nearest thing we have to local rivals these days, but in terms of local rivalry, Maidstone United was always our biggest rival.

Who are the best and worst players you have seen?

Best of all time? Pele. He made the game look easy. Three World Cups and over a thousand goals. Nuff said.

At Gillingham? Robert Taylor. The best player I've ever seen in a Gills shirt. In our promotion season he was unplayable. Then we sold him and his career disappeared. I wish he'd stayed. He probably does too.

Worst I've seen? That's a toughie. Ashley Westwood has always been useless when I've seen him - and I've never rated Richard Cresswell either. If you want to wear white boots, you've got to be any good. He isn't.

Which current or former Leicester player impressed you most?

Your former striker Paul Dickov broke our hearts at Wembley, but he's the type of player who would be idolised at Priestfield. Currently, you have to have the utmost respect for players like Martin Keown and Dion Dublin. Both are top pros.

How did you fare last season?

Somewhere between awful and shocking. We survived by one goal on the season's final day! We let in too many sloppy goals and couldn't score for toffee. We were very very lucky.

How do you think you'll do this season?

Better than last season, but by how much is anyone's guess. We've got quality up front, but the heart of our team is now too old to compete at this level. Our midfield and defence have both been useless so far and it's been depressing watching the side over the last season or so. It's taken Hessenthaler 18 months to spot this, but now at last he seems to be cottoning on. Hopefully we'll start improving now. I reckon somewhere between 18th and 15th is about right.

What's the local drink and snap?

Other than the Kent-based Shepherd Neame beer, there isn't much distinctive to partake in down here, though I understand the new pies at Priestfield are excellent.

If Gillingham were a TV personality, who would it be and why?

John Barnes (in his guise as Channel 5 anchorman). At times looks out of their depth and nobody really knows why they've survived in the spotlight after some shocking performances. Given time, however, they could improve into something vaguely watchable.

So what do you think of Leicester?

I'm indifferent to be honest. They tried to bully us home and away two seasons ago. At your place the ref gave everything your way and finally awarded us our first foul in the 80th minute (you won 2-0). At our place we took you apart with a good performance, although you threatened to come back at the start of the second half. In the end we won 3-2.

Is your manager barking mad?

Yep! As a player, his days are gone, but he still plays, meaning he gets plenty of bookings for late tackles he'd have comfortably have made a few seasons ago. He likes a chat with the ref, which can infuriate our fans as much as the opposition's. If he hasn't been booked within 20 minutes, we're dead impressed. As a manager, he's got an awful lot to prove. He did well to start with, but now his squad has aged and tough decisions need to be made. This season could tell us just how good a manager Andy Hessenthaler could become.

Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?

Chairman Paul Scally has done a great job with the club and I'm happy with him. However, our coaching staff is a matter of much discussion. Our side has deteriorated of late and tactically we look pretty poor. I fear the coaching staff isn't up to the job.

Which team do you want to beat the most this season and why?

Most Gills would probably say Millwall, but I'd go for Sheffield United. I don't like Neil Warnock's attitude (no surprise there!) and I'd love it if we stuffed them...love it!

What sort of line-up can we expect from you?

Difficult to say as we're on the verge of some major changes to the side. We're hoping to get some loanees into the club - particularly in the centre midfield and centre half positions. Steve Banks will start in goal, with John Hills and Nyron Nosworthy at full backs. The two centre halves are undecided, but I'd go for Barry Ashby and Leon Johnson. In midfield, Danny Spiller and Paul Smith both need to be dropped, leaving few options. Nicky Southall and David Perpetuini may operate in the wide areas, with hopefully a loan signing or two in the centre, with Pat Agyemang and Darren Byfield up front. The next week should give us a better idea of what we're doing.

Predicted score?

A scoring draw, we need a performance, but we haven't kept a clean sheet yet. I'll say 1-1.

Who's going up?

Wigan as champions, with Sunderland and maybe yourselves in the automatic places. Reading should be there or thereabouts too. Forget Ipswich, they can't defend.

Who's going down?

Crewe, Brighton and Cardiff.