LASTSEASON
LEAGUEONE11thFACUPThirdRound
LEAGUECUPSecondRoundTOPSCORERPaddyMadden(19)LASTSEASON
LEAGUE ONE 13th FA CUP Fourth Round
LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Tom Eaves (22)64 Season Preview 2019-20 FourFourTwo
FLEETWOOD TOWn GILLInGHAM
SKY BET LEAGUE OnE
2019-20
FFTVERDICT
12TH FFT VERDICT
14TH
The Cod Army will be hoping that
it’s the football on show which
makes headlines at Fleetwood
this season, rather than any more
controversy involving Joey Barton.
Replacing the 17 league goals of
erstwhile loanee Ched Evans is
the key to improving on mid-table.Great things are expected of new
signing Matty Willock, who joins
the Gills from Manchester United,
and Steve Evans is, as ever, vocal
in his own approval of the club’s
summer business. However, they
have a lot of ground to make up on
sides who challenged last season.The big talking point among the fans
is how we can improve this season in
order to mount a play-off push.
This season will be different because
it’s Joey Barton’s second season and
he can use the experience to improve.
Our key player will be Ashley Hunter
[above, left]. He’s an amazing crosser.
Our most underrated player is
Ashley Eastham, a very calm, solid and
reliable centre-back.
The best away grounds are definitely
Sunderland and Portsmouth’s, due to
the big fanbases at both clubs.
The best away fans are Portsmouth’s
again, as they’re very noisy and travel
in numbers, even though coming up to
Fleetwood is a long away day.
The player I’d happily drive to
another club is probably Dean Marney
- big wages, big expectations, and he
has been absolutely atrocious.
Look out for James Hill, who looks like
a decent player. Giving young players
a chance was a highlight of last year.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Jamal Lowe. He’s fast, he’s
skilful, and he can change a game.
Our best celebrity fan is Alfie Boe,
a local boy from Fleetwood and also
a good representative for the club.
The one change I’d make to the club
would be our away attendances – we
take very few fans. It would be good
to get over 150 for each away game
to give the players more inspiration.
Did you know that we were the
first team to have a VAR goal given
against us in the FA Cup, last year.
The signature local dish is cod and
chips, as we are the Cod Army! Try the
nearby chippy to enjoy the experience
of a more old-fashioned ground.
Save the date for Blackpool away on
December 7 – the derby.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
that he’ll learn on the job and bring
better players to the club. Most fans
like Barton [below], although some
aren’t too keen. I think he’ll improve
with experience and take us places.
If he left, he should be replaced by
Uwe Rosler. He nearly took us up and
gave us some really good memories.
We’ll finish 8th.The big talking point among the fans
is the appointment of Steve Evans. It
is the very definition of divisive. He’s
been on a charm offensive since then,
which was probably the minimum
requirement, but his honeymoon
period is still likely to be pretty short.
This season will be different because
fans expect a rapid improvement in
the team. Success on the pitch is the
only justification for appointing Evans.
I won’t be happy unless we’re in the
play-offs at least (see above).
The one change I’d make to the club
would be to attract a couple of
thousand more fans on matchday.
The best away fans are Sunderland’s,
assuming they haven’t lost all hope.
The best Gills social media account
is @GillsDebate or @GillsFancast.
Save the date for Evans’ first home
game – he starts with a four-match
touchline ban, so how those opening
few games have gone will determine
what sort of reception he receives.Our best celebrity fan is probably
comedian Joe Wilkinson these days,
although anyone with young children
will also know Mister Maker.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is John Marquis at Doncaster.
Did you know that when things are
going really well, the supporters sing
The Last Waltz, a 50-year-old tune by
Engelbert Humperdinck.
The one recommendation for away
fans is to bring waterproofs. That
stand won’t get a roof any time soon.
Our key player will be Matty Willock.
Among the raft of new players, he
has generated the most excitement.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
that Evans has been an incredibly
unpopular figure here for years and
only results can change that. He’s
under more pressure than any other
Gillingham manager this century.
If he left, he should be replaced by
Michael Flynn, a former Gills captain
who has produced a successful side
on a limited budget at Newport.
We’ll finish either in the top six or
mired deep in a relegation battle –
I’m genuinely torn... which probably
means we’ll come 13th once again.FAn FILE
BEN KNAPMAN
@FTFCKnappers
FAn FILE
DANNY SMITH
@nicemarker