Long-ball Gills set to pass it?!

Cooper wants the Gills to play with width this season - and he is in the market for wide players for both flanks - and he clearly sees Darius Henderson as a major player for the side next season.

"We've lost two players on the right side though and I'm also looking for naturally left sided players - wingers - as you need that in your game, especially when you've got the likes of Darius in your box who can get on the end of things."

In a comment sure to please a huge number of Gills fans disillusioned by the hoofball we've been playing in recent seasons, Cooper went on to say that he wanted the side to play decent footbalI, too.

"I like to see the ball down and passed too. I'm not a kick and rush kind of manager, although there are times when you do need to use that.

"We need people that are fit and strong with a good physical presence. We also need people with a little bit of quality who can sneak a game for you."

Cooper spoke of his plans to bring in some new faces - and he says he will be patient and make sure he gets the players he wants.

"I still don't feel as though there's a major hurry. People panic buy when there are still a lot of players about. You've got to make sure they're the right type of player and we're doing a lot of work regarding that.

"It might be a week before the season starts as we're going to look at some trialists in pre-season - that's what I've done before. There are certain players that need to be resigned though - important players for the team.

"I know one or two have left the club but they've got every right if they can get better deals elsewhere. Hopefully though we can sign the ones we want to keep and then add to that."

It's taken a while for the official site to produce some news worthy of the name, but Cooper's comments are sure to impress the Gills support, many of whom have become increasingly frustrated with the poor standard of footbalI played at Priestfield in recent seasons.

It seems we may have to wait a while before we get the players he wants but we'll report news of Cooper's new signings as soon as we get them.