Not much Gills team news on the official site, as Jepson has said he doesn't like to reveal too much and give the opposition any clues. He has said though that the players who were out last week are unlikely to be back over Xmas. That presumably covers Byfield (rumours are he's off in the transfer window anyway), Hope, Pouton and Hislop (off the top of my head, I think they're the only ones who were out injured). Leon Johnson and Andrew Crofts were both suspended, but only for one game, so should be back in contention. Tom Williams has agreed a deal with Swansea for as soon as the transfer window opens, so will definitely be out of our game with Swansea on the 28th, but Jepson has said he will be considered for the Bristol City game. Paul Smith missed Bournemouth through his own choice, as apparently he had to sort some things out with his agent, according to the local paper. There's also the very much unconfirmed rumour I heard this week from a friend of a friend who works with one of the Gillingham player's brothers
, who says Smith has a reputation of being the most difficult player to work with at Gillingham. It was Cooper who brought him to the club, but as Cooper's no longer here, and as Jepson reportedly didn't like Smith much from last season (when Jepson was assistant to Stan Ternent), he doesn't seem particularly fussed about losing him.
One last thing, Gills will be training every day over Christmas, including Christmas Day.
As for the likely winner of this game, it's a tough one. Gills have found some very decent form at home in the past couple of months, we've won our last 4 at home in the league, against Blackpool, Hartlepool, Doncaster and Port Vale. Unfortunately Bristol City have just won their last 2, at home to Huddersfield and away to Port Vale. Handicapman and AMP, how well did they actually play in those games? Gills have been in good form all round since the 5-0 drubbing at Colchester. Including down at Bournemouth at the weekend, we lost 2-1 in the 90th minute, but even the Bournemouth manager told Jepson after the game that they'd robbed us. By the sounds of it (didn't make it down there in the end), we deserved at least a point, and could possibly have got all 3. All in all, a tough one to call, but I'd go with Gills home form (and Bristol C's away record of 2-0-8) to tip the balance in our favour.
As for the other games, could be tempted by Huddersfield (have Rotherham appointed a new manager yet?), Bradford, Chesterfield and Colchester. Will have a look into them some time, but it will most likely be Boxing Day morning.