The search for quality and goals

Quality and goals.

Despite the drop in divisions, it would be naive in the extreme to think that the same squad of players would be able to gain promotion back to League One next season. It just won't happen.

Even in League Two, you need quality - and you need goals. Looking at Gillingham's current squad, there's a short supply of both.

Manager Mark Stimson has highlighted the clear need for the club to recruit a strong target man to play alongside Simeon Jackson, and although at time of writing we haven't secured such a player yet, we're hopeful of filling that void sooner rather than later.

But there are other areas where we need more quality. We've looked weak on the left of midfield ever since the departure of Matty Jarvis, and a left-sided wide man with the ability to deliver a decent cross must surely be the next position on Stimson's "To Buy" list.

After raiding his former club Stevenage for a host of players already, it's not inconceivable that he may return to Broadhall Way to acquire the services of Mitchell Cole. The England C international has league experience and is a consistently impressive performer at Conference level. League Two is certainly within his compass, and he'd fit in well with the players we already have. Some fans may groan that he'd be yet another non-league signing, but he'd arguably be Stimson's most talented signing.

Of course, Stimson also wants to add some experience and leadership to the side, in the form of last year's loanees Danny Cullip and Kevin Maher, who both turned down the contracts offered to them earlier this summer.

Losing Cullip in particular was a big blow. The influential centre half was a standout performer for the Gills last year, and his leadership will be sorely missed in the centre of the Gills' defence.

Maher was less impressive, but has shown more than enough quality in a Southend United shirt in recent seasons to suggest that he would be a big player for the Gills, especially in League Two.

Despite turning down the initial contract offers, both players could still sign for Gillingham - and if we were able to sign both, the club would look relatively strong heading into the new season.

If Stimson and Gillingham can snare a target man, a quality left winger and persuade one or both of last year's loanees to sign, the Gills will look strong going into the new season. We've had precious little transfer news so far, and the longer things stay quiet, the more worrying the situation will become.

Mark Stimson says we are in a group of eight or nine sides who are capable of promotion. But weren't we told something similar last season?

If Stimson can get the players in, I think we'll have a real chance.