Matchday Previews
Back to basics for Huddersfield visit?
Published by Simon Head on March 5, 2010
Gillingham have tried a variety of lineups and formations in recent matches, with mixed results. Now surely it’s time for the team to be settled down, with all eleven players playing in a formation they are familiar with, and in positions they have experience of playing.
The opponents this weekend, Huddersfield Town, are one of the best sides in the division. The fact they were royally trounced 5-0 by a rampant Southampton side last time out should only serve to heighten our wariness ahead of the League One clash on Saturday.
Manager Lee Clark has spoken out, saying if he could have made ten substitutions at halftime last week, he would have – and has since come out and said ht expects a “huge response” from his players at Priestfield this weekend.
Make no mistake, Huddersfield will be on the attack and out to prove a point.
Gillingham, who have always looked shaky when faced with sides who attack them, will need to display a combination of steel and adventure if they’re to pick up a much-needed victory tomorrow – and for me, that means a return to a straightforward 4-4-2 formation.
The back four, in my eyes at least, picks itself. But at right back, Chris Palmer should be replaced with Stewart Lewis. The man dubbed “The Ginger Cafu” after his performances at right back last season proved an admirable stand-in for Barry Fuller last season, and there’s no reason why he can’t be again. Palmer’s ‘challenge’ for the penalty at Brunton Park was evidence enough that he isn’t a natural defender, and he should be used, when necessary, as a wide midfielder. He can fill in at fullback, but we have a better defensive player available, and that player is Lewis.
In midfield, Kevin Maher and Danny Jackman should play side-by-side in the centre, with the attacking impetus coming from wide areas, helping to force Huddersfield’s wingers and fullbacks onto the back foot. Andy Barcham and Curtis Weston, two of our most dynamic players, fit the bill perfectly. Weston has mainly operated through the middle for the Gills so far, but has played wide right in the past and can do a good job for us on the wing this weekend.
Up front, we know there is a fitness cloud hanging over one of our three strikers, but assuming all three are available, we’ll go for the most potent duo – Simeon Jackson and Chris Dickson. If necessary we can throw on Rene Howe in the second half to help provide fresh impetus and grunt.
Looking at the record of both sides, Huddersfield should be big favourites for this match, but their recent result at St. Mary’s and with Gillingham desperate to pick up not just points, but wins, at home, this match could prove a lot closer than many might think.
Huddersfield are far from bulletproof on their travels. They have lost more games than they have won away from home this season (won 6, lost 8 ) so they CAN be got at. The Gills’ home form, meanwhile is still very impressive. They’ve lost just three times at Priestfield, but have started to draw more games.
Mark Stimson, plus around 5,000 Gills fans, will be hoping for a return to winning ways this weekend.
Simon Head
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