Gills Jury

Confidence is high among the Gillingham fans that their side can register the first away win since the end of the 2008/09 season. Of the 14 Gills Jurors who predicted scores this week, 12 of them are going for a 2-1 win for Andy Hessenthaler’s men and all are predicting three points to be heading back to Kent. Our guest from Hereford, Ron Parrott, meanwhile is predicting a 1-1 draw.

Here's what our panel of fans had to say;

MELISSA GUTHRIE (Rochester)

To say I’m more than a little nervous about Saturday’s game would be an understatement. I know that our first away result won’t determine our season, but as a fan I’m desperate for an away win as I’m sure the players are. My concern for the game is our growing injury list, especially the injury to Jack Payne (pictured) which may mean the hand’s down MOM from the Cheltenham game could be absent. I believe the combination of nerves and a list of injured players as long as my arm could make this a very difficult game. The players’ sheer desire for an away win, however, will result in a Gills victory on Saturday.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

PAUL BLAKELEY (Maidstone)

We had a very encouraging start versus Cheltenham on Saturday and we’ll be looking to build on it. However the monkey on our back of being terrible away is no doubt going to be playing on the minds of everyone connected at the club. If we can get an early goal it should calm everyone down, as we have the quality to win games in this division. Luckily we won’t be up against the quality of strikers we were against Norwich, so our patched-up back four should look a bit more solid. Hopefully the players who have fallen ill this week can be hundred per cent by the weekend and it’d be great to see Akinfenwa get another start. I think (rather optimistically) we’ll win 2-0.

Prediction: Hereford 0 Gillingham 2

LIAM BATCH (Ashford)

Gillingham will be hoping to finally bring a halt to the away-day woes and secure the first league away win since Rochdale in May 2009. I thoroughly believe that the discipline Hessenthaler exerts upon the players will result in fewer errors away from home and a solid opposition. I feel Akinfenwa will be key to the success we gain away from home as he gives us a different option that we didn’t have the luxury of having last season. His physical dominance means when we are under pressure, a long ball can be played to him and he can not only hold the ball up, but take some of the pressure off the defence and onto the opposition’s. The players are going to want to prove a point at Hereford and this renewed desire to end the away curse will see us well on our way to at least a point.

Prediction: Hereford 0 Gillingham 1

BEN CURTIS (Brompton)

Hereford will be a really difficult test for our side, not least because of their opening day win at Crewe, but because of our abysmal away record last season. The game is incredibly important in that respect and a win wouldn’t only get our push for promotion going, but it would also finally get rid of the hangover of last year. I hope Hessenthaler will stick to the attacking line-up from Tuesday night, and tell the players to go for it. The quicker we can be successful away from home, the likelier we are to get into the top three.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

MARK FELLOWES (Ashford)

Gillingham travel to Edgar street in their first away game of the season, hoping to break the curse of last year which saw the Gills pick up just a point on their travels. The Blue and Black Army will see this is as a good opportunity for that elusive win as Simon Davey’s men finished a mediocre 16th last season. I believe Gillingham will have too much for Hereford. I have been impressed with the width in the side, the grit and determination in the midfield and with Adeybayo Akinfenwa (pictured) looking a great capture, I think Gillingham have possibly the strongest squad in the league.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

ROSS GREEN (Sheerness)

Gillingham haven’t had much to cheer about lately, what with relegation from League 1, a poor opening day draw with Cheltenham and crashing out of the Carling Cup. Hopefully this performance will prove be an improvement and see Gillingham pick up their first win of the season. It means the Gills will have to break the habit and win away from home which they didn’t manage all of last season. Hereford won their opening game, but from the reviews I’ve read they posed little threat other than the goal, so hopefully Gillingham should have enough to see off the threat of the Bulls.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

MALCOLM SMITH (Grimsby)

After a somewhat flattering scoreline to Norwich on Tuesday it’s back to the business of getting the Gills back where we belong. If we’re going to achieve anything like promotion this season then we HAVE to win away. The sooner the better. Hereford won’t be easy to beat but as the home side they will be expected to attack, which will leave gaps for Barcham (pictured), Palmer and Weston to exploit. I’m confident we can break our duck.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

JAMES HAWKINS (Rochester)

I think Hereford could be the place to get our first away win in a long time. If we get an away win early it will give our players confidence to go on. I think the squad want to play for Hessenthler but they still need to gel as a team and it seems to me they want to do well for him. Getting that first away win will motivate the players to go on and win more away games and give the belief to the fans.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

JAMES BEENY (Hawkhurst)

This weekend provides the team with an opportunity to immediately dispel the away day hoodoo that has often hung over Gillingham squads. Andy Hessenthaler will be hoping that Jack Payne can continue where he left off against Cheltenham, and that the physical presence of Akinfenwa will be enough to cause problems to the Hereford defence. The 4-1 loss to Norwich will have created a few concerns surrounding the defence. A return to the team for Garry Richards would certainly help.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

ALEX SARSON (Wellingborough)

Coming off the loss to Norwich it’s important for Hessenthaler and his team to get the boys motivated again. Hereford is a chance to get rid of the away day hoodoo and it’s something we must do if we are to meet our promotion expectations. Akinfenwa to start and Gills to get a long awaited away win.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

JAMES STAPLES (Greenwich)

Despite the mid-week loss I think the players will go in to this game in confident mood. We caused the Norwich defence problems and the scoreline flattered the Championship side. If we can create chances against Hereford I believe we can get something from the game. The away hoodoo was part of last season but it would be nice to banish the legacy early on in the 2010/11 campaign, starting at Edgar Street this weekend. I hope we go with a 4-4-2 formation and approach the game in a positive way. If we do that I’m confident Andy Barcham’s class will shine through and he’ll get his first goal of the season.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

JULIAN HART

After the slow start during the first half during the draw with Cheltenham we shouldn’t be playing 4-5-1 at home, and Stefan Payne up-front on his own doesn’t help, he’s too inexperienced. If we start with Bayo and Rooney (pictured) up-front against Hereford we will hopefully start brightly and convert more chances than against Cheltenham. Jack Payne was fantastic, future captain material. Of the new signings, Akinfenwa looks good but needs to get match fit, Sinclair will only get better playing games. I also think McCammon’s days are numbered.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

PETE BRUDENELL (Brixton)

Could it be the long awaited away win? I’m certainly confident, and it’s hugely important that we get off to a good start on the road. Despite the result on Tuesday, I’m confident that Hess has changed the attitude in the camp and following the signing of Matt Lawrence, I think that we’ve now got an excellent mixture of youth and experience. Combining Lawrence’s experience, Spills’ energy and Bayo’s ability to hold the ball up, we may now have the ingredients needed to form a force who can win away from home!

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

SAM LIVINGSTONE

I think the score will be 1-2 to Gillingham, with Akinfenwa and Barcham scoring in the second half. I think that after the disappointment of last Saturday and the poor defensive display on Tuesday, Hessy will have his players up for his first away match and although I think the players may take a time to settle they will go two nil up only for Hereford to score a late consolation as the defence gets too relaxed and complacent.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 2

...and not forgetting HEREFORD fan Ron Parrott.

We’ve been very excited about everything that’s been happening in pre-season. We’ve got a new chairman and a fresh management team and there is a buzz around the place. After going out of the cup on Tuesday we’re hoping to have learned lessons but we know it’s going to be tough against a side who are among the favourites for promotion. I’m looking forward to seeing old-boy Josh Gowling but nine times out of ten they end up scoring. I hope that doesn’t happen. I’m predicting a draw although after Gillingham’s result against one of the favourites for relegation last weekend I’m not sure if I would be happy with that result.

Prediction: Hereford 1 Gillingham 1

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