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Familiar faces
The FA Cup took centre stage again this week and another spirited display by the Gills saw them progress to the third round stage for the thirteenth time in the last twenty seasons. Another League 1 side in Leyton Orient were humbled by the Gills, this time at the first attempt. With two away trips and two victories and a draw against higher league opposition, proof if needed that the Gills could hold their own should promotion be achieved is quite clear. But the real test as to whether the Gills have built a team capable of a successful transition towards promotion will be highlighted when Stoke visit the Priestfield in Round 3. The Premier League side are often regarded as being one of the more robust sides in the top division, something that the Gills have often struggled to overcome in their own league. But with space to play and with home advantage, it is a game that we are quite capable of winning.
Once more, the romance of the cup brings back some familiar faces. Most notable to many will be the return of former manager and now Potteries boss Tony Pulis after his acrimonious departure back in 1999. As part of the coaching set-up Ade Pennock also returns to a stomping ground where he is still considered a legend. One returnee unlikely to be seen however is Big Mamady Sidibe whose long term injury looks to potentially have robbed him of his career. But quite possibly the one person that may just stick in people’s minds the most will be the return of Peter Crouch. After suffering cries of “Freeeeeaaaak” from much of the Rainham End (and something he would certainly have endured at every away ground in the country) it prompted an attack on the people of Medway from the 6ft 7in striker in his autobiography. Having never attended a Merseyside derby, I would love to have heard what the Everton fans would have put his way when he featured for Liverpool as the particular “abuse” suffered in Kent clearly imprinted more permanently in his mind!
But all those things need to be forgotten come the first full weekend of 2012. This is a game the Gills can win especially with the FA Cup traditions in mind. A win would tell everyone that we can play with the bigger boys and a cup run would always be of huge benefit to a side like ours – especially if boosted by live TV revenue! It will be hard to get out of this league to fulfil those ambitions (as was seen at the Bradford game) and the cup run, however welcome, must not interfere with that in the slightest. So with Christmas coming up, six points against Morecambe and then Bristol Rovers are at the top of my list ahead of any aspirations for a place in Round 4.
Posted by Gillingham fan Gary Wade
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