OK, I went in pretty hard in my last column, suggesting that our playing squad needs a rather hefty cull if we are to improve things next season. Of course, getting shot of players is one thing, but bringing in new ones – and more importantly, the right ones – is another.
When you look at our club, we’re not exactly the sort of club that players are falling over themselves to sign for. However, we do have a fair amount going for us – and the prospect of a clean slate and a fresh start with a new manager may be attractive to a number of players, particularly those in the lower divisions, who’d jump at the opportunity of playing in a higher division.
Agreeing terms with players and the selling clubs is always a bit of a minefield, and one that only the chairman can deal with, so I’ve simply taken a look at the talent available, who I’d suggest represent achievable transfer targets for the summer
Looking at the squad, it seems we need at least one striker, at least one creative, goalscoring midfielder and maybe a defender or two. As in my previous column, I’ve tried to put myself in Stan Ternent’s shoes – and I’ve drawn up a transfer targets shortlist. They include players I personally believe would represent excellent and viable transfer targets as well as others who I believe may be potential targets for Stan himself. Some have ties to our club, others have ties to our manager, while others are simply quality players we could possibly go for.
You never know, you may even see one or two of them in a Gills shirt next season. Who knows?
STRIKERS
Despite the signings of Iwan Roberts and Darren Byfield, we’ve looked somewhat toothless (no puns intended, Iwan!) up front this season. Universally accepted as an area we have to improve, here are some suggested candidates for a move to Gillingham.
David Johnson (Nottingham Forest) – Striker
Small, nippy and an excellent finisher, David Johnson was the division’s hottest property two seasons ago, but it all seems to have gone wrong for Johnson at Forest after his initial success. Managers have come and gone – and Johnson may feel a move is necessary to get his career back on track. One man who managed Johnson to enormous effect earlier in his career was none other than Stan Ternent, who not only had Johnson in his Bury side, but also took him on loan while managing Burnley. He’s fallen out with new Forest boss Gary Megson and is known to be on his way out of the City Ground, so he’s one candidate that’s definitely available. He’d have to take a hefty wage cut, and there are still question marks hanging over Johnson’s fitness after a spate of injuries, but I think there’s a lot of mutual respect between Ternent and Johnson – and a move for the striker may not be out of the question.
Lee Trundle (Swansea City) – Striker
If ever we wanted to sign a player with bundles of ability, a good goalscoring record and the ability to put bums on seats, then Lee Trundle should be top of our list. Despite his abundant skill and workrate (which is often overlooked), Trundle is STILL a Swansea City player. The Swans will want him to fire them out of League Two, but while he’s having a pretty good go, he can’t do it on his own – and promotion may be beyond them once again. An early bid for him could secure his services before any other clubs start sniffing around in the summer. If we signed him, it would be a major coup for Gillingham – and probably the most exciting signing the club could realistically make.
Sam Parkin (Swindon Town) - Striker
Quite simply one of the most consistent goalscorers outside the top two divisions, Parkin’s size, strength and eye for goal would be a major asset to Gillingham, particularly when you consider our style of play. Parkin struck up an instantly successful partnership with Darius Henderson during the Gills striker’s loan spell at the County Ground this season – and would make the perfect foil for Henderson at Priestfield. With a two-pronged goal threat, we’d look much stronger in front of goal than we have this season.
Leroy Lita (Bristol City) - Striker
One of the best striking prospects in the lower leagues, Leroy Lita is scoring goals for fun at Bristol City and might be worth a gamble. Certainly a more natural finisher than the likes of Mama Sidibe – and harder working than a Darren Byfield, many pundits reckon Lita could make the jump to Championship level with no problems at all. A possible target.
Nicky Forster (Reading) – Striker
A controversial one, this, but Nicky Forster’s days as a Royal look numbered. His contract is up at the end of the season and he is no longer a first-team certainty at the Madejski under Steve Coppell. Has had a few injuries, but his ability in front of goal is well respected at this level. He’d have to work bloody hard to win the fans over (hopefully we won’t hear the Judas chants), but as a possible freebie, he would make a very canny signing indeed.
CREATIVE MIDFIELDERS
We may have signed Mike Flynn from Wigan, but we may still be in the market for another attacking midfielder. There are plenty of viable targets, too.
Paul Shaw (Sheffield United) – Attacking midfielder/Striker
Every fan of Gillingham FC knows what Paul Shaw can do. There’s no question that the team’s shocking form began with his departure from the side – and the return of our most creative player in recent seasons would represent a huge boost to the club and the fans. There have been rumours bubbling away throughout the season that a deal may be in the pipeline, but nothing has materialised so far. One thing’s for sure, Shaw would be afforded a hero’s welcome should be ever re-sign for the club. We can but hope…
Stuart Elliott (Hull City) – Winger
The goalscoring sensation of League One, Elliott is actually a winger, who has a happy knack of finding himself in goalscoring positions. Hull’s imminent promotion means we probably wouldn’t be able to get him, but if Hessenther were to move the other way, either in a playing or coaching capacity, then a deal for the winger may be possible if we offered cash on top.
Brian Hughes (Charlton Athletic) – Attacking Midfielder
A recent signing from Birmingham City, Brian Hughes has struggled to establish himself at the Valley and has had to content himself with sporadic appearances from the bench. A hard-running midfield player with an eye for a pass and a genuine goalscoring threat, he’d be a perfect loan or permanent signing to help bring some creativity to our midfield.
James Hayter (Bournemouth) – Attacking Midfielder/Striker
Another possible solution to our attacking midfield problem, James Hayter has been one of Bournemouth’s most dangerous players for a number of seasons – and is perfectly suited to the famous ‘Paul Shaw’ role we’ve been missing for the last season and a half. He’d also bolster our forward options, as he is more than happy operating up front too. Hayter has an excellent goalscoring record and is reasonably quick too. Well worth pursuing as a transfer target.
Wade Small (MK Dons) – Winger/Attacking midfielder
We’re in desperate need of a creative midfield player – and last season one of the brightest young prospects in the division, Wade Small, somehow slipped the net. Lively, nippy and excellent on the ball, Small’s pacy runs and ability to deliver from wide areas would give us an extra dimension going forward. He has a decent shot on him too – and netted a number of goals at Championship level, despite MK Dons’ (then Wimbledon’s) abysmal season.
DEFENDERS
Our defensive unit isn’t getting any younger – and they’ve looked more than shaky over the last two seasons. Without a lot of money available to spend, we’ll need to rebuild our defence with a combination of experienced pros and young up-and-coming prospects from the lower divisions.
Eddie Howe (Bournemouth) – Centre Half
One of the best centre halves in League One, Eddie Howe would represent an excellent signing for Gillingham. A former defensive partner of Ian Cox, Howe is highly rated in League circles, and has the ability to play at Championship level with no problem at all. With many of our current crop of centre halves now past their prime, a defensive signing would bolster the side – and Howe’s ability and leadership qualities at the back would make him a huge addition to the side.
Graham Branch (Burnley) – Utility player
An experienced, well respected and versatile player, Graham Branch was a mainstay in Stan Ternent’s Burnley side. He can operate at centre half, centre midfield or centre forward – and is an ideal utility man to have in the squad. Ternent may decide to raid his former club for a player or two in the summer – and should he do so, Branch would be one of those most likely for a move south.
Curtis Davies (Luton Town) – Centre Half
Curtis Davies is rapidly building a reputation as one of the young stars of the lower leagues. The teenage centre half is earning rave reviews for his performances in the centre of Luton Town’s defence – and could be a useful addition to an ageing defensive unit currently at Priestfield.
Anthony Barness (Bolton Wanderers) – Fullback
The truth of the matter is Gillingham do not have a decent fullback on their books. Nyron Nosworthy is a frustrated midfielder, as is John Hills. Anthony Barness is experienced and solid. He is a regular bench-warmer for Bolton and while a steady performer, just doesn’t have quite enough to replace Ricardo Gardner at left back. The former Charlton man would give us stability in either fullback position and with his contract set to expire and no interest shown in him during the transfer window,he may also be available on a free in the summer.
BIG SIGNINGS?
As his signings of Ian Wright and Paul Gascoigne for Burnley have shown, Stan’s been known to pull the odd big signing out of the hat in the past – but if Stan was to repeat the feat at Gillingham, the one thing he does need to ensure is we get someone who will be fit more often than not. As footballers, Rodney Wallace and Tommy Johnson were quality players, but sadly they spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch – and that effectively meant that they were failed gambles by the club. I wouldn’t criticise the club for going for it, but perhaps the medical criteria that need to be met should be more stringent – and should also consider the incoming player’s recent injury record. Injured players are no good to us, as the last three seasons have proved.
While a big-name signing could really help boost the crowds at Gillingham, there really aren’t that many big names out there who would represent viable targets. To be honest the best we could hope for is the signing of someone like Lee Trundle, who may not be a big name from the top division, but is one of the most naturally talented players outside the top two divisions – and would certainly put bums on seats, while improving our strikeforce.
I’m confident Stan Ternent knows exactly what he’s doing – and I’m also sure that the oft-mentioned link between him and Sir Alex Ferguson is hugely overplayed. We’ve even had fans seriously suggesting we’ll be taking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on loan. While we’d all be over the moon if we did, I just can’t see it happening – and the constant speculation linking us with every single United youngster is not helping at all. The truth of the matter is Gillingham FC are a small club going the wrong way at the moment. Unless we can bring in some top-notch signings from the lower divisions and maybe the odd experienced head with more energy and ability than those I proposed we offload this summer, we’ll continue to struggle.
We’re in the middle of a crucial stage in our cllub’s history. How Paul Scally chooses to act will have a huge affect on where we’ll be for the next few seasons. Whether we survive or go down is not an issue in this regard. The team needs rebuilding, almost from scratch, if we’re to move forward, regardless of the division we’re in. If we don’t, we could be in for a very difficult few years.
