Gillingham currently sit in 4th place in League One, ten places above us and four points off leaders Burton. They've won six of their opening eleven games, the most noticeable of those wins being their recent 5-1 win over Fleetwood, and that 4-0 win over Sheff Utd on the opening day. They've only been beaten twice so far in the league, 2-1 by in-form Colchester, and 2-0 by Barnsley. They're the highest scoring side in the league, scoring twenty two in their first eleven, nine more than league leaders Burton. In the League Cup, they reached the second round after winning 2-1 at top League Two side Plymouth, but then coming short in the second round against Birmingham, losing 2-0. They also had a recent 2-1 win over Luton in the JPT, thanks to a late Bradley Dack close range finish. Despite their attacking flair and quality, Gillingham have similar problems to us in the defensive department. In all competitions, they have played fourteen games so far, and conceded sixteen goals.
Saunders says Novak has a 50% chance of returning for tomorrow's game, and fellow striker Harrison is out for around two more weeks with a knee problem he picked up while playing for the reserves. Super Sam Morsy is back after his suspension he picked up for getting too many yellows was completed in the week in our 2-1 JPT loss to Rochdale. Big striker Gnanduillet won't be available to play as Saunders has decided to loan him out to Stevenage for a month, for whatever reason. So it looks like either SEB or Dieseruvwe will be starting up top tomorrow, and I don't know about you, but I'd much rather see Mani up there tomorrow, based on recent performances. Ariyibi is still away with the USA Olympics side, and he won't be available for us 'til the 17th. Apart from that, there is no recent injury problems, and it looks like tomorrow's line up will be similar, If not identical to the one we saw against Crewe. Ryan Jackson, Doug Loft and Deji Oshilaja will all be out injured for Gillingham tomorrow.
Biggest Threat: Bradley Dack
The 21 year old attacking midfielder has enjoyed the best season of his life so far in the 2015/16 campaign. He has scored five from eleven League One games, playing all of those in midfield. One of those goals came in the form of an absolute screamer against Sheff Utd on the opening day back in August. He has also scored one in the League Cup, in the form of a late equaliser against Plymouth in the first round, which the Gills eventually went on to win, and he has also got one in the JPT, coming against Luton on Tuesday night. So seven goals from fourteen. Pretty good for a midfielder don't you think? Forward Ruaridhri Donnelly is also in decent form in front of goal, bagging four so far in the league, however Dack will be the main threat tomorrow, and could be the difference between the two sides.
My score prediction: Chesterfield 1-3 Gillingham
It's no secret that our defence isn't the most technically gifted even at the best of times, proven by the fact that we conceded three in the last ten minutes against Wigan, and conceded twice against Blackpool. Gillingham will be more than happy about that, as they are one of the best attacking sides in the league. After all they are the top scorers. In the last two games they have netted eight times, so they will be more than capable of getting a few against us. However, they have also conceded four times, so hopefully we'll be able to exploit that with our forward players like O'Shea, Gardner and Simons, and get a goal or two as well. Based on recent form, I just can't see us coming away from tomorrow with a point. I desperately hope the lads prove me wrong though...
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