Stimson pleased to have selection headache

Last updated : 30 March 2008 By Simon Head

Stimson has seen key players miss out on games through injury and suspension, but with Nicky Southall and Danny Cullip coming through this weekend's match with Carlisle unscathed, plus Kevin Maher's return from suspension and Simon Royce's return from injury, things are looking up for the Gills boss.

Talking to the official website after the Gills' hard-earned 0-0 draw with promotion-chasing Carlisle United, Stimson explained: "We've had one or two players out injured but today was probably the strongest team that I've had available. The players have shown against a top side that they can match them. If we can keep these players fit and on the pitch in the next six games, we're going to win some games. The pressure might be on the teams above us now as they might be thinking, as other people are, that we are down and wouldn't get anything against Carlisle. We hope to surprise a few people."

Stimson has also managed to bolster his attacking options, bringing Coventry youngster Donovan Simmonds and former Nice striker Georges Ba to Priestfield on loan - and says that having more options on the bench should improve things on the pitch.

"You are sometimes only as good as your bench and if you have got players like Maher, Stillie, Griffiths and the two boys we have signed this week, Donovan Simmonds and Georges Ba who should both be available for Tuesday, it is hopefully coming good at the right time. This is the time for us to deliver and if we can get out of this situation we are in, it would be a fantastic achievement and one that is definitely possible.

"Donovan is like Oli and Jackson as he has got a good touch, good pace and is someone who could come on if the game is a bit dead.

"Georges, who has signed until the end of the season, has been playing in Israel and France and he has got a decent CV. I think the deal went through about four fifty-nine on Thursday! He came in on Wednesday and Thursday, he is six foot two and is very strong and athletic. On the back of watching him in training for two days, I would say that he is going to be an impact player.

"Georges was in for two days, was a right pest in training and he was getting in the way of people or they were hitting him and he wasn't even flinching, he was just getting on with it. He is desperate to impress in England as he has played in Europe and scored goals.

"He has come down here for two days and we have gambled on him until the end of the season. He's a physical presence and is in fantastic shape as you'd see if he takes his shirt off. He might be the one that as we don't know too much about, the opposition aren't going to know anything!

"I've worked with Leroy before and I know what he is about; he is an impact player. He is someone who isn't as effective starting as he is when he comes on for 20 minutes. Last week at Port Vale, he came on in the latter stages and was absolutely outstanding. [Saturday] when he came on, he looked nothing like the player from last week. That is what you get from those types of players. Georges, like Leroy, could be the one who runs straight through the goalkeeper and the ball goes into the back of the net to get the winning goal."

"It is a good problem to have a full squad and a nicer headache to have at night! You go to sleep and are thinking I can pick any of those 20. I've had a couple of nights where I have been thinking who is going to turn up tomorrow? Are they going to be bothered to turn up and train? What shift are they going to put in when I ask them? It is a much healthier position to be in and we have just got to go about our work on Tuesday night and attack that game."