For the first time since Hessy's first managerial season I am looking forward to a season again. It sounds strange but I would rather be a big fish in a small pond than a tiddler in a lake as I felt we were for the last couple of seasons. The last time we were at this level was fantastic. We were hated by the Bournemouth's and the Preston's of the day and nearly everyone in the division loathed playing us because we had the ability to roll teams over, and especially towards the back end of the Pulis era and the Taylor season, when we did it with a bit of style, with 3 or 4 goals chucked in for good measure.
I never really enjoyed life in the "Championship" - it always felt a bit of a struggle, we were over-achieving and then we slowly started to slide backwards as the team was not-refreshed with younger blood. All you could do was sit there and watch as more players were added to the squad, who were patently past their sell-by dates and who never really added anything to
By the time last season arrived we were shambolic, and atrocious to watch, especially at the prices we were being forced to pay (although I entirely understand why Mr Scally has to charge at these rates). I took my then girlfriend, now wife to the
In 300+ matches I have never been treated to a more embarrassing spectacle as the one I witnessed that night. The ground was more than half empty and the only atmosphere came from the 5-600 Cobblers fans away to my left. It was pathetic watching us aimlessly hoof the ball about and run around like headless chickens, while the supposedly "weaker" side played neat, fluid football and ripped us to shreds, their fans backing them all the way. Hopefully that will be something I never have to sit through again.
I hope with a new focused manager at the helm, one who doesn't let the team pick itself or get involved in playing ugly, lumpen football we can progress. I understand we may not go straight back up, and I think it would be dangerous if we did. I think after the last three years of dross we need to consolidate and again become a team everyone in the division fears. I'm a firm believer of getting things absolutely right at one level before attempting to move upwards. You want to know you can beat all the teams in League One before looking back to the Championship.
I think a finish in or around the play-offs would represent a fantastic start to the rebuilding we have sorely needed for some time. Next season we would then be one of the favoured teams for promotion and could attract more players suited to that position. I just hope that we as Gills fans don't expect too much, too quickly. It will take time to turn us around, and I for one would be glad if it did.