“I still don’t like the bloke and you won’t find me singing his name, but he’s doing a decent job on a limited budget.”


The last time The Imps face today’s opponents Gillingham was on Saturday 16th November 2019 at Priestfield in front of a crowd of 5,567, with Christopher Pollard overseeing proceedings. Today’s man in the middle is Tom Nield.

The Gills won 1-0 that day, with French striker Mandron volleying home from six yards with the game’s first chance after The Imps defence failed to clear a cross from Mark Byrne.

Today’s Match Thread: Lincoln City v Gillingham

Here’s what PerthImp said after the match: “Better second half, but still no real threat until the last 5 minutes when we actually started to play as we can. Mandron & Hanlan were terrific for Gills but not impressed with the rest of the team. They were very agricultural at times and I’ve rarely seen a team do so much pushing or pulling without being pulled up. No wonder our front men couldn’t get a clean touch on the ball. The last two or three games we’ve moved the ball around very well and created some great chances. Today the passing was terrible and, apart from Walker’s header at the end, we didn’t test the keeper or get a shot on target. Really hate to say it but things looking gloomy until January when hopefully we can get three or four in to lift the quality. The gaps in fixtures not doing us any favours but we really need to step it up and beat teams like Wimbledon and Gillingham.”

Time for the Q&As. Thank you to Gillingham supporters HerrLjunga from Vital Gillingham and Daniel for answering our questions. The answers have been published on two pages. To get to the second set of answers, click “Click here for the second set of answers!” at the bottom of the page or click the name above!

First up, the answers provided by HerrLjunga:

How long have you supported Gillingham?

Since the age of 7, it’ll be 30 years next month.

Where did you finish last season?

13th but with 55 points the finish looked better than it was.

What do you think of your Manager?

Haha, what a question. I’ve always strongly disliked Steve Evans because of his on and off-field antics both against us and in general but I can’t deny he’s a shrewd operator. I still don’t like the bloke and you won’t find me singing his name, but he’s doing a decent job on a limited budget.

Who Are The League One Managers? No.11: Steve Evans (Gillingham)

What were your hopes and expectations for the 2019/20 season?

Avoiding relegation more comfortably than we’ve managed in recent seasons which is exactly what we’ve achieved and it’s still only February so I guess we’re exceeding my expectations. I think a playoff push is out of reach but who knows?

One(s) to watch?

Akinde obviously, he’ll be gunning for a goal against his old side. Jack Tucker, remember the name, his first season as a first-teamer he’s going to be a very classy centre back at a top team within the next few seasons.

Which teams you think will finish in the top six?

I’d love to see us sneak in there, but I don’t think we’ll make it, we’ve drawn too many and there are some good sides above us. Rotherham, Coventry, Peterborough, Sunderland, Pompey and maybe Wycombe if they can hold on.

Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom three?

Bolton and Southend are gone already, absolute basket cases. A 7pt gap is probably too much for Tranmere, all though their pitch could be a leveller.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

I’m very impressed with your crowds in the last few years and liked the way you played under the Cowleys too. A staple lower league opponent for us in my time following Gills, probably a similar stature.

What do you think the score will be?

I’m going to say 1-0 Gills, has to be Akinde.

Will The Imps Win, Lose Or Draw Against Gillingham?

Win

Lose

Draw

CLICK TO VOTE!

Random fact about your Club?

No other league side considers us a rival. We used to have Maidstone (aka The Squatters) but they went pop two years after I started supporting Gills and we’ve had nothing since where the rivalry has been reciprocated.

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

I’ve always liked Jack Payne and we were rumoured to be after him in the summer, but he ended up with you guys.

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Gillingham Supporter?

Proudest? The final whistle in the 99/00 playoff final that got us to the second tier for the first time in our history. Completely turned the game around in extra time to come from behind for the win, which given the scars of the infamous Man City playoff final the season before was some achievement.

Most embarrassing would be away at Shrewsbury where I ended up sitting in my car listening to the radio as goals 5, 6 and 7 go in against us having left after 44 minutes at 4-0. Tried to win some brownie points with the missus by meeting up with her an hour early but her phone had died so I had to wait in the car and listen to a game that I’d paid to be at and left as the goals continued to fly in.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

I’m not sure we have one really, the season we’re having and the shallow nature of our squad means everyone’s efforts are appreciated.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

Pass.

Which was your favourite match involving Gillingham?

I’ll go with Gills 5-0 Preston opening day of the 01/02 season. We’d followed them around the leagues like a shadow since 1995/96, usually at the top end of the table and developed a bit of a love-hate relationship with them, especially their captain Sean Gregan. We annihilated them and he nearly scored an own goal sixth with a header that hit his own post. We were top of the Championship (admittedly after just the one game) which felt truly bizarre.

Which was your least favourite match involving Gillingham?

Burscough 3-2 Gills in the FA Cup.

05/06. The nadir of supporting Gills for me, we’d been relegated from the Championship the year before, the squad was a mess we’d taken on a duff manager and several duff signings from Scotland and managed to turn an undeserved 2-1 lead entering injury time into a pathetic 3-2 defeat.

Do you have a Former Players Association at Gillingham?

Don’t think so.

What’s the best thing about Gillingham?

Apart from the club? Erm, there’s a nice view over the Medway Estuary? There’s a handful of nice pubs if you know where to look? Rik Waller?

Have any of your supporters made a one-match knee jerk reaction to John Akinde which they will never go back on despite his efforts for your team yet? (I think he will be an excellent player for you)

I don’t think so. I think we all knew we needed a striker and he’s relatively proven, albeit a level below, so I think most people were glad to see him arrive. I’d prefer a younger player with a bit more resale value but if he keeps chipping in the goals and assists I’m happy.

Do you believe much of what Steve Evans says?

As I mentioned at the top, he’s a shrewd operator, he knows how to get the fans on board. That being said, I take everything he says with a pinch of salt.

Page Two: The answers provided by Daniel

And now for the answers provided by Daniel:

How long have you supported Gillingham?
I have supported Gillingham since 1989 when a family friend took me along to the game as a teenager. At that point, I was a Liverpool fan as I only saw football on TV and didn’t even comprehend that you could actually go along and watch it live. 1989 and I was hooked in by the whole atmosphere of live football and have never looked back.

Where did you finish last season?

We finished 13th last season so smack bang in mid-table.

What do you think of your Manager?

Steve Evans since becoming our manager has been a revelation. He has changed the whole squad apart from about 3 or 4 players, he has built a squad out of free agents and loanees and we are currently on a 13 match unbeaten run… He is proven at this level, we have been more attacking, more risk-taking…

He doesn’t settle for draws, he wants to win every game. His passion for the game spills over on the sidelines and sometimes upsets people but I can’t fault him. I think we won 4 at home last season and 5 the season before and he has quickly turned us into a bit of a fortress again. People are commenting on how they are enjoying their Saturdays again.

Who Are The League One Managers? No.11: Steve Evans (Gillingham)

What were your hopes and expectations for the 2019/20 season?

I didn’t have many hopes of anything despite being quite an optimistic person for this season. That was until Evans was appointed and pre-season I predicted an 8th place finish which most scoffed at but we’re currently in 10th and on an incredible run of form.

One(s) to watch?

Ones to watch in the backline young Jack Tucker who came through our system and is being touted for big things in the future already.

Alfie Jones as a holding midfielder on loan from Southampton has the ability to control games at this level and take your pick from our exciting new frontline.

Brandon Hanlan frightens the life out of defenders with raw pace and then you know all about big John Akinde who will be accompanied by Jordan Roberts (on loan from Ipswich) and possibly the impressive Jordan Graham (just joined on loan from Wolves.)

Which teams you think will finish in the top six?

Rotherham United, Coventry City, Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Peterborough United and Portsmouth.

Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom three?

I think they’re already in place

Tranmere Rovers, Southend United and Bolton Wanderers.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

Lincoln are a tough one to judge for me this season as I believe they’re probably in a bit of a transitional period what with losing the Cowley boys. At home, they have a decent record and yet have been shocking on the road. The potential is always there though as we have seen in recent seasons they have performed brilliantly in both league and cup competitions. We know we’ll have a tough game on our hands.

What do you think the score will be?

I am going to go for a 2-2 draw in this one.

Will The Imps Win, Lose Or Draw Against Gillingham?

Win

Lose

Draw

CLICK TO VOTE!

Random fact about your Club?

I have quite a strange stat about us that I saw the other day. On December 26th we were 6 points outside the playoffs. Since then we are unbeaten in 13 games and are 7 points outside the playoffs (as of 18th February).

Random fact: Our ex goalkeeper Harvey Lim runs an art gallery in the Alaskan wilderness somewhere.

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

Jack Payne all day long. I’ve seen him play against us a couple of times for Oxford and he scared the life out of me and excited the hell out of me. There was a rumour of interest from us in the summer and I was incredibly awoken by the prospect and then he chose Lincoln. On his day, when he’s producing, he is magical to watch.

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Gillingham Supporter?

My proudest moment would be the 2000 playoff final win against Wigan Athletic at the original version of Wembley Stadium. An excellent win to give us a taste of Championship football.

Most embarrassing would be the start of 2017/18 season when Adrian Pennock was in charge and we were getting mauled by the likes of Oxford and Rochdale and it seemed there was no clue as to how we could rectify the problems. In the end, it was a sacking that rectified the problem.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

It’s quite difficult to judge as so many of the squad are new arrivals but maybe Max Ehmer. Our captain who has well over 200 appearances, is ever-present and yet rarely receives many plaudits.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

There is a Gillingham Supporters Trust which is a voluntary organisation that represent supporters’ dealings with the club and are dedicated to giving supporters cheaper and safer away travel and social events, fundraising etc.

Which was your favourite match involving Gillingham?

My personal favourite would be the 2000 playoff final win against Wigan at Wembley.

Which was your least favourite match involving Gillingham?

Least favourite would be the playoff robbery of 1999 against Manchester City.

Do you have a Former Players Association at Gillingham?

I have no idea.

What’s the best thing about Gillingham?

The best thing about Gillingham IS the Football Club. There is very little else to offer.

There is an ice rink and the royal engineer’s museum but I’m really clutching at straws to find anything else worth mentioning…

Have any of your supporters made a one-match knee jerk reaction to John Akinde which they will never go back on despite his efforts for your team yet? (I think he will be an excellent player for you)

First impressions of John were very good. He got a quick couple of assists from the get-go and looks quite the beast in the box. Off the mark, last week against Blackpool and the fans seem to have really taken to him.

Do you believe much of what Steve Evans says?

I have no reason to disbelieve Steve Evans.

He’s done a fantastic job here so far. When he arrived here, I’d say maybe the majority of fans didn’t want him. I can tell you that’s changed.

In a pre-season Q&A, he said ‘Not many fans want me at their clubs but by the time I go they don’t want me to leave’ and he was 100% correct in that statement because so many people are saying now on Twitter, on Facebook, in person that he has changed their mind about him. For me, I was pretty happy from the start based on the success he has had in the EFL. Right now, I’m delighted with him. Most people didn’t want him here because they are on their moral high horse about his previous conviction. I didn’t know there were so many angels in Gillingham. I couldn’t care less about his past; he’s been fantastic from day 1.

Page One: The answers provided by HerrLjunga

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