We look ahead to Saturday's fixture
GILLINGHAM V CARLISLEMEMS Priestfield Stadium
Sky Bet League One
Saturday November 2
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Peter Taylor has a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of this weekend’s visit of Carlisle United.
Adam Barrett and Danny Kedwell didn’t train until Thursday but are expected to be fine, while Bayo Akinfenwa played against Charlton for the development side on Tuesday to gain some match fitness.
Charlie Allen has joined Tamworth on a two-month loan deal and so is unavailable for selection.
As for Carlisle, Leon McSweeney is likely to make a return to the squad after suffering a calf injury against MK Dons a couple of weeks ago.
Right-back Conor Townsend will also be unavailable after picking up his fifth booking of the season last weekend against Bristol City, giving him an automatic one-match ban.
Manager Comments:
He said: “They are going very well and we know it’s going to be a hard game. They have been in good form, we know their strengths and it will be a good match.
“There have been slight changes but the players have responded very well. The way we finished the game against Port Vale we looked quite athletic but goals change everything, we had a great 45 minutes and we conceded two poor goals just after half time.”
Watch Peter's pre-match press conference here.
Carlisle boss Graham Kavanagh told the club’s official website: “Last Saturday was a realisation to me that we can't take anything for granted even though we have built up some momentum. It proves that everybody can beat everybody in this league.”
"You've got to get into the mindset that the performance within each game may differ. Teams will play against us using all sorts of tactics and different formations but we need to be able to adjust to that and impose ourselves on the game.”
The Gaffer – Graham Kavanagh
Graham, a tenacious central midfield player, began his professional footballing career at Middlesbrough in 1991. He would stay at the Riverside for six years, however after making just 35 league appearances, moved to Stoke following a short loan stint at Darlington.
It was at Stoke where he showed his true capabilities, playing in over 200 matches before being snapped up by Cardiff City.
Spells at Wigan, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday followed before joining Carlisle in October 2008 on an initial one month’s loan.
He joined permanently a few months later as player-coach, and after supporting Abbott as Assistant Manager, took the hot seat earlier this season.
He has also represented the Republic of Ireland National side on 16 occasions.
Star Man – David Amoo
David is Carlisle’s top goal scorer coming in to this gave having netted seven times in all competitions. The 21-year-old striker, who can also play in midfield or on the wing, has impressed this season having signed on a two-year contract from Tranmere in the summer.
He hasn’t scored in his last four games, but given some momentum, he is a potentially dangerous threat.
One to Watch – James Berrett
James, who joined the club on a free transfer in July 2010, has set up three goals so far this season and scored once – that coming against Leicester in the second round of the Capital One Cup.
The 24-year-old was part of the squad that won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in 2011, and has represented the Republic of Ireland up to U21 level.
Carlisle- the season so far
The Cumbrians didn’t have the best of starts to their season, winning just once in their first eight games in all competitions which, as a result, saw Manager Greg Abbott sacked and replaced by Assistant Manager Graham Kavanagh.
The change saw an immediate impact with Carlisle winning three of their next four league fixtures, including an impressive 1-0 victory over Sheffield United.
As for their progress in the cup competitions they suffered a second round exit in the Capital One Cup after a 5-2 loss to Leicester City, having already beaten Blackburn Rovers at Brunton Park via a penalty shoot-out.
In the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy the Blues again took victory via penalties after a 0-0 draw against Morecambe at the Globe Arena, and await a tie against Fleetwood at Highbury next month.
In the FA Cup they will travel to Boreham Wood after being given another away fixture in the first round draw.
Previous Meetings:
The last time the two clubs met was in February 2010 when Andy Hessenthaler’s side lost 2-0 at Brunton Park following two goals from former Leeds United full back Ian Harte.
Infact the Gills haven’t recorded a win against the Cumbrians since October 2006 when Mark Bentley and Garry Mulligan helped seal a 2-0 win at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
In total the clubs have met on 46 occasions. The Gills have the edge when looking at the head to head statistics having won 19 of these games – Carlisle have won 17, and the other 10 have resulted in a draw.
Current Form (last six games in all competitions):
Gills: WWLLWL (9 points)
Carlisle: WDDLWL (7 points)
Odds:
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Gills Win 1-0 – 13/2
Gills Win 2-0 – 17/2
Gills Win 3-1 – 14/1
Draw 1-1 – 11/2
Draw 2-2 – 14/1
Danny Kedwell to score first in a 3-0 victory – 66/1
For more odds, open an account with www.skybet.com/gillingham
Officials:
Referee: Mr Charles Breakspear
Assistants: Michael George and Adrian Sannerude
Fourth Official: John O'Brien