RUFC - Fans Interview - Gillingham

Rotherham United travel to Kent to play Gillingham on Saturday (weather permitting!) and Vital Gillingham Ed kindly took time out to answer a few questions we put to him

How long have you supported the Gills
Coming up for 24 years. 
  
What made 'Gillingham' the team for you
They're my local team, so it was the only logical choice. Being the only Football League club in Kent, there's not a lot of choice unless you want to be a glory hunter and I didn't.
  
After coming down last season, would you have expected to be in the top six at this stage of the season
Yes. To be honest, I expected us to be top. I'm not underestimating this league, but our side now is, on paper at least, stronger than the one that got up two years ago in my opinion. It's been such a disappointing start for us for a number of reasons, our football hasn't been easy on the eye for the most part, we're struggling to score aside from set-pieces and it's not been much fun. That said, the last two games have been much better, with our loan players certainly looking the part and getting that elusive away win may have made a big difference to our season.
  
How do you think your team will line up against the Millers
4-4-2 of Julian; Fuller, Lawrence, Gowling, Kennedy; Whelpdale, Lee, Maher or Spiller, Palmer; Akinfenwa, McDonald. 
 
Is it too soon for Simon King to expect to play on Saturday
I think so, yeah. He was supposed to play for the reserves on Tuesday but it was called off, so he's still way short of match practice. I really hope he isn't rushed back - he's a fantastic player and we have really missed him, but he's been out for so long and we need to be thinking long-term.
 
Who is the player we should look out for on Saturday
Chris Whelpdale has been brilliant since he arrived on loan from Peterborough, so he's probably the one I'll choose.
  
In 2007 Andy Hessenthaler was named Gillingham's greatest ever player by the Professional Footballers' Association - do you think that was right
Probably, yeah. He was repeatedly the stand-out player in our most successful side ever, so that would add up. For pure talent, maybe not, but for his consistent graft, he is a true Gills great. The less said about his second managerial stint thus far the better, mind. 
 
Best and worst grounds you have visited
Kenilworth Road, Layer Road and the Withdean are the worst, hands down. We've been lucky to play at some good ones over the years, Highbury and Stamford Bridge among them, but I've always like Molineux for some reason. Except for when we lost 6-0 there!
 
Prediction for the game
Go on then, 2-1 Gills.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to do these for us.
I'm expecting to bring a point home from Priestfield!

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