Not sure what to expect for the Gills tomorrow. We're in pretty decent form of late (3-2-1 for our last 6 games), but so are Barnsley (only 1 defeat in their last 14). Our away form has been terrible all season, we've still not won away yet, but there have been signs of improvement in our last two away games, a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth (but only due to a 90th minute winner), and a 0-0 draw at Huddersfield. Barnsley have got a very decent home record, 7-5-1 for the season. Should really all point to a home win, but our recent revival is just putting a nagging doubt in my mind.
Also signs that Ronnie Jepson is starting to shape the squad that he wants - of Neale Cooper's 6 signings he made in the few months he managed us, Tom Williams has gone to Swansea, Tony Bullock has gone to St Mirren, and apparently Steve Hislop today had a medical with Livingston. Only leaves Jackman, Sancho and Shields of Cooper's signings, but I'd expect they'll be staying put. No team news as yet on the Gills website, so in the mean time, this is from the
BBC.
"Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie could hand a first start to midfielder Richard Kell, after his recovery from the second leg break of his career at Oakwell.
Ritchie has allowed reserve goalkeeper David Scarsella to go out on loan to south London side Tooting and Mitcham.
Gillingham will once again be without winger Matt Jarvis, who is sidelined by an ankle injury. Fellow forward Darren Byfield (knee) is struggling, while Ian Cox, Chris Hope and Andy Hessenthaler are all doubts"
Jarvis out is quite a blow for us, as he'd been in good form, but having said that he was out for the Huddersfield game (as indeed were all of those players actually), and we still got a draw there. Hessenthaler incidentally may well be moving on sooner rather than later. He was due to have a testimonial at the end of the season, but the club has now announced it will be in the next couple of weeks, which may mean he's on his way out. Apparently he's looking at ways back into management (he was our player-manager for about 4 years, before reverting back to being just a player last season).
I wouldn't try to put anyone off really if they were thinking of backing Barnsley, I don't think.
