It’s a pretty good time to be a Gillingham fan right now, with the new owner Brad Galinson already showing his intent for the club by spending big in January to help save their Football League status, with what is expected to be a big summer for the Gills. Tom Jasper and I have taken a look at some players that we would like to see sign for the club.
Cast your mind back to just before Christmas 2022, Gillingham are the Football League’s bottom club and let’s be honest looking pretty hopeless, not creating chances, not scoring goals and having a running nickname among some fans of “generous Gills”
But just when all seemed lost, American businessman Brad Galinson and his family completed their purchase of the Kent club and promised a big January transfer window.
But the first big moves by the Galinsons weren’t in the way of players at all, they first brought in Kenny Jackett and Gillingham legend Andy Hessenthaler as Director of Football & Head of Recruitment respectively.
They then delivered on their promise bringing in a number of players in January that could be considered big signings from clubs around the Football League.
January saw Conor Masterson(Loan), Aiden O’Brien(Loan), Jayden Clarke, Ethan Coleman, Oli Hawkins, George Lapsile, Tom Nicholls, Timothée Dieng, Tristan Abrahams(Loan) & Glenn Morris all come through the door.
The Gills now sit 10 points above the relegation zone but do have a very hard run in this season, the full focus will now be aimed towards next season and a promotion push for the Gills’ recruitment team, so without further ado; let’s have a look at who Tom and I would like to see through the door.
Conor Masterson
I’d be pretty confident in saying this young man is on top of every Gills fan’s shopping list for the season. He has picked up exactly where he left off from last season since rejoining on loan in January from QPR.
His contract with QPR is up at the end of the season which will mean he is available on a free transfer in the summer. I do not doubt that he will be attracting interest from all over the Football League, I just hope Gillingham can create an offer attractive enough for him to come down to Kent on a permanent deal.
TJ: “Masterson would also be a top priority for me”
Aiden O’Brien
Another loanee that came in this January, he has been fantastic since joining from Shrewsbury, slowly becoming a fan favourite.
A very popular figure around the club at the moment, but not only that he is a fantastic player, he seems to have this bubble around him when he plays and always seems to create time on the ball where the space seems minimal.
Scoring his first goal for the Gills last night against Crewe as well this one for me should be another priority for the recruitment team at Gills to get over the line.
Danny Lloyd
This one is going to get a mixed reaction, but I’d genuinely love to see Lloydy come back to Kent. I doubt it will happen as I’d imagine he would rather stay up north.
But out of contract with relegation-threatened Rochdale in the summer so would again be great value for money.
After January I genuinely believe we have a very good base to mount a push towards the top of League Two next season but we sometimes miss that link between the midfielders and strikers I’ve said this in a piece before I genuinely believe he could be the perfect player for this current Gills set up.
Dan Agyei
This season we have often lacked that out-and-out winger. Agyei has been fantastic for Crewe this year, he’s fast, skilful and exciting.
Priestfield is crying out for a player to get the fans up off their feet, we’ve certainly seen some promise from Aiden O’Brien but I still think the club is screaming out for more.
Agyei brings that direct confidence, which Gills fans love and I think in the right system he could be rolling in the goal contributions.
Vincent Harper
Young exciting left back from Eastleigh, he has been fantastic this season for the spitfires and has shown that he is more than ready for the step up to the Football League.
He has great pace and technical ability I think he would perfectly complement this Gills side and provide perfect competition for places.
I don’t think he would walk straight into being a regular starter but would be an extremely valuable asset and bring great depth to the full-back positions.
Here are The Thoughts Of Tom Jasper:
Josh Umerah
At the latest fans forum, Harris spoke clearly about his intention to play two up top, which is what he has done for the most part since the window ended.
With Tom Nichols and Oli Hawkins the only two senior strikers who look to have an immediate future at the club, Gills will need reinforcements.
In a recent narrow victory over Hartlepool, striker Josh Umerah was a constant threat and has stood out in a Hartlepool side who have struggled to stay afloat in League Two.
He’s a South London boy and a talent at this level, and Gillingham represents an enticing opportunity for him, especially if his current side finds themselves slipping out of the Football League.
James Henry
Whilst my first two players suggest potential and promise, Oxford midfielder James Henry gives us much-needed experience.
Heavily linked with Gillingham in the January window (if you believe the rumours), Henry has struggled to play consistently in an Oxford side who have found life tougher than expected in League 1 this season.
Liam Manning may use the summer to strip out some of his squad and at 33, Henry might be one of the first to go. If so, a move to Kent and a reunion with Harris and Jackett might be on the cards. A player of undoubted quality on his day – just hoping that his day hasn’t come and gone.
Writer’s View
I think one thing that is pretty clear from the above is that both I and Tom feel the rebuild simply only began in January and further recruits are needed if Gills are to match the high expectations of fans.
Although I think Gills are widely considered to be challenging towards the top end next year I think for that to happen we have to recruit the right faces into the club and not just go signing anyone and everyone.
The realist in me does feel that next season will be one of pushing towards that top half and bedding in new faces getting them all on the same page preparing to have a right go for promotion in the 24/25 season although, I imagine that isn’t going to be a popular opinion among Gillingham supporter.
