Striker crisis for Gills ‘selection committee’
00:00, 03 December 2004
Cardiff v Gillingham
MANAGERLESS Gillingham have been rocked by a new crisis ahead their crucial clash at Cardiff on Saturday.
After the departure of caretaker boss John Gorman, who took over at Wycombe on Tuesday, a four-man committee headed by player-coach Iwan Roberts, will be in charge of team selection.
But their job has been made more difficult as their attacking options have been limited with Darren Byfield doubtful with a knee injury and Darius Henderson missing out through suspension.
Roberts is joined on the committee by Paul Smith, Head of Youth Darren Hare and chairman Paul Scally. Former manager Andy Hessenthaler will also be involved. But Roberts is confident in the structure that has been put in place.
He said: "We’ve got enough experience in the four of us to go and pick a side for Cardiff on Saturday.
"It’s the first time I’ve ever had to do something like this and I expect it’s also the first time Smith has had to do it.
"We’ll do it to the best of our ability. As long as the chairman wants us to do the job, myself and Paul will try and help out as much as we can.
"We thought someone else might be in charge by now. Obviously the chairman hasn’t made his mind up and he’s been interviewing people all week and hopefully there will be somebody in place next week."
With Roberts and Smith likely to start at the weekend, they will be relying on input from Hare and Mr Scally off the field, although Roberts doesn’t expect the chairman to get too involved.
He added: "We do need to talk to him as he has obviously got a bit of say in what goes on. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but if you ask someone to do a job for you, you need to try and let them get on with it.”
In a full interview with KM-fm Sports Editor Simon Watts, Roberts speaks about the week's events at the club and his thoughts ahead of the Cardiff match...