Gillingham fans are in positive mood ahead of the Macclesfield Town match at Priestfield
08:00, 29 April 2011
Can Hess deliver another win for the Gills this weekend? Pic: Barry Goodwin
Gillingham fans are in confident mood ahead of Saturday's visit from Macclesfield, with the majority predicting another three-point haul from Andy Hessenthaler's men. Read what our panel of fans think ahead of another crucial match.
PAUL BLAKELEY
(Maidstone)
The Rotherham game somehow managed to drag us back from the edge of despair and gave me hope that we might yet manage to get out of this league.
I admire Hess and his bravery at making seven changes. It was a risk but to me not a massive risk – we were so abject against Barnet that something had to be done, we really couldn’t get much worse.
It is strange that we’re now far better away than we are at home. Probably says quite a lot for the atmosphere and the pitch at Priestfield – it’s too late to do anything about the pitch but as fans we can do our part.
Macclesfield is huge game now but I still fear we will drop out of the play-offs on the final game of the season. We need to win at the very least to get the needed points, but to also try and play ourselves into some semblance of form and confidence.
Prediction: Gills 2 Macclesfield 0
KEITH PESTELL
(Gillingham)
This is a must win game for us which could secure us a play-off place if results go our way. Macclesfield look safe from the drop but they will still be battling for the point needed to guarantee them League football next season.
Gills fans have to wonder what side will turn up? Will it be the one who were clueless against Barnet or the one who won away at Rotherham on Monday?
We have to hope it’s a team who are up for the game, want to go out and win every ball and battle for the all-important play-off place.
I would expect Hess to make changes and maybe bring a couple of the seven players who he dropped back into the side. Macclesfield will be hard to break down and both fans and players will need to be patient.
Prediction: Gills 1 Macclesfield 0
DAVID GARTH
(Gillingham)
This really is a crucial game. We must get the three points as it’s now between four teams for three play-off spots and any slip up now would surely be the end of our promotion hopes.
It would be great if Torquay lose at home to Chesterfield tonight (Friday) as a win by any score would then guarantee the Gills a play-off spot.
It’s likely to be a tight game but I really cannot see them getting anything as Gillingham should be too strong for them.
Hessenthaler’s shake-up of the side at Rotherham last time out seemed to have the desired effect. I’m sure that whatever side is selected will all be desperate to impress to keep in the starting 11.
I hope Hessie keeps faith with Kevin Maher (pictured). His experience has been a major factor during our recent unbeaten run and defensively we are much harder to beat when he plays. We should have enough firepower to win the game - especially since Andy Barcham is now chipping in with a few goals.
We have to keep it tight and the fans must be patient.
Prediction: Gills 2 Macclesfield 0
WARREN LIGHTFOOT
(Lydden)
Hess made some bold changes on Saturday and was rewarded with a win on an awful pitch that really didn’t support a passing game.
If the Gills manage to keep the ball on the deck and pass through the midfield, rather than trying to hit Bayo with long balls, then they should win comfortably.
During the away fixture, Macclesfield looked extremely vulnerable to quick passing around their box, and if Barcham and Weston are both fit then they can fulfil the role that Whelpdale and Lee did.
Of course, the biggest factor on Saturday could be the 12th man! Having been to every game this season, I find our home support embarrassing. The away support has been phenomenal which I believe is the main reason the Gills have played better on their away games this season.
No whining and booing this Saturday please! Just lots of noise and the boys will deliver.
Prediction: Gills 3 Macclesfield 1
SAM LIVINGSTONE
(Pangbourne)
After a devastating loss at Barnet, full credit must go to Hess and the extremely brave team that he put out! It was a great win and a very impressive result, made even better by the performance of Simon King, although we have to wonder if we have seen the last of Josh Gowling at Priestfield.
I am slightly concerned by the match against Macclesfield. We just have not performed at home recently, with a mere two points from three very winnable games.
Despite this, the finishing line is in sight, and I think we have enough firepower to see us over the game so I think we will edge it with two goals from Cody McDonald (pictured), who has been much quieter in recent games
Prediction: Gills 2 Macclesfield 1
MALCOLM SMITH
(Grimsby)
The uncertainty continues as to whom will get into the play-offs but the master stroke by Hess to bring wise heads into the team on Monday could just prove to be the difference for the Gills.
I’m sure Macclesfield will try to get a point, which will see them to safety. Sadly we don’t have the creativity of Whelpdale to unlock their resolute defence as we did in December.
Long balls to Bayo won’t do it on Saturday and unless we get it on the deck I fear we will be in for another long afternoon.
Prediction: Gills 1 Macclesfield 0
RICHARD PEPPER
(Manston)
After an inconsistent weekend and the unforgivable home match against Barnet a home win is the only acceptable result now.
Sadly, we have a history of leaving things until the last game of the season though, so wouldn’t be terribly surprised to see Macclesfield pull off a win.
We seem to have struggled at home this season. Maybe it’s the expectations or pressure, but a good side should overcome this.
Cody hasn’t found the net since Lincoln so he is due a goal or two and hopefully Weston will return in the centre of the park. Hope Hess keeps Kingy (pictured) in the heart of defence and will presumably bring player-of-the-year contender Matt Lawrence back in.
Even short of match practice, Kingy stood out above everyone else against Rotherham with his ability to read the game, put his foot on the ball and find a pass to a Gills player. Had he not suffered that horrific injury he would be playing Championship football by now.
Prediction: Gills 1 Macclesfield 1
JAMES PEMBLE
(Gillingham)
I really can’t see us dropping points four games in a row at home (or is that wishful thinking?) and following on from a good display against Rotherham I’m going for a nervous 1-0 to the Gills.
Prediction: Gills 1 Macclesfield 0
MACCLESFIELD FAN
DAVE LITTLER
We are heading to Gillingham and still need a point to completely guarantee our Football League safety and hopefully we’ll try and play a bit of football and go home with at least a point.
I’ll be organising the Moose Tours coach travel to the game and as it’s our last away match of the season we are determined to enjoy ourselves. Hopefully the team will also show the Gillingham fans that we can play a bit.
We seem to play better away from home and usually start games well and take a lead. That’s when we struggle a bit though because we’ll then try and defend it and we can’t always defend.
We lost our key defender and captain Paul Morgan through injury, and we miss his experience, but to be fair the young lads at the back have done well and kept two clean sheets in the last two. Young forward Tyrone Barnett will be one to watch as will midfielder Hamza Bencherif.
(Macclesfield celebrate scoring against the Gills in December)
Prediction: Gills 2 Macclesfield 2
Do you agree with these views? Have your say pre-match by commenting below.
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