1) How do you assess Gillingham's prospects for the coming season? We've boosted our firepower with the signings of Iwan Roberts and Darren Byfield, so we should look a lot better going forward this season. However we need to look at our defensive play this season. Too many sloppy goals were conceded last term and that, along with a huge injury list, put us towards the bottom. I'd hope and expect much better this season. A conservative prediction would be 15th, but if we can keep a consistent side together throughout the season, we could finish inside the top half. 2) How do you think Leeds will fare this season? It's been a case of rip it up and start again at Elland Road, so anything in the top ten should be considered a good season. If Leeds have a good start to the season, then the playoffs become a possibility, but I'd expect to see them between 7th and 10th this season, with a sustained playoff charge next season. 3) Which side will be your biggest rival in the Coca-Cola Championship this season? I guess it would have to be Millwall. We routinely take six points off them each season, so we thoroughly enjoy playing them too. We've always had a friendly rivalry with Preston too. We've moved up through the leagues together, from Division Three (League Two as it is now) to Division One (or the Championship). 4) Class or Arse - who is the main man and who is the liability at your club? Class = Danny Spiller won all the player awards last season and is a natural successor to Andy Hessenthaler in midfield. Arse = Nicky Southall. Great for us until we sold him to Bolton. He came back a season and a bit later and he's been a shadow of his former self. Had a stinker of a season last year. 5) Young Gun - who is your up and coming star to look out for? Matty Jarvis. He's only 17 years of age, but he looks like he could be something a bit special. Quick, skilful and has an eye for goal too. He's very small right now, so he may struggle to get himself in the side regularly, but he's a potent threat when coming off the bench towards the end of games. Watch out for him. 6) Marked Man - Which Leeds player is likely to cause you the most danger? Brian Deane, providing he gets picked. I'd much prefer to play against Michael Ricketts than Brian Deane, who always causes defences problems. Julian Joachim is another we need to watch. 7) Likely Gills lineup; GK Steve Banks RB Nyron Nosworthy LB John Hills CB Chris Hope CB Barry Ashby MF Paul Smith MF Mark Saunders MF Danny Spiller ST Iwan Roberts ST Darren Byfield ST Patrick Agyemang 8) Gillingham v Leeds United match prediction
Simon's website can be viewed at www.gillingham-mad.co.uk |