Former Cambridge United manager Mark Bonner has helped Gillingham take their recent rise to the next level and their 1-0 victory over free-scoring Notts County seen them bounce back from collecting just one point from their previous two games on the road in the 2024/25 League Two campaign.
Gillingham win the award of League Two Team of The Week for the first time this season and follow the previous week’s winner, Swindon Town, who scored four times in their win over Newport County.
Elliott Nevitt Off The Mark as Gillingham Maintain Excellent Start
Gillingham have actively improved their squad over the last couple of years and now appear to have a squad capable of challenging for the League Two title. They had struggled to compete for the play-offs as they lacked a regular goalscorer in 2023/24 but have brought in Elliott Nevitt off the back of the striker’s 16-goal haul as Crewe Alexandra reached the play-off final at Wembley.
The 27-year-old opened his account in League Two for his new club and it turned out to be the winner after Notts County failed to convert any of their chances. It still should be commended that Gillingham managed to keep a clean sheet as Notts County still rank first for goals scored (14) and second for expected goals (13.08) in the fourth tier despite drawing a blank in this fixture.
Gillingham work hard off the ball and rank in the top five for successful tackles per game and in the top four for clearances but will have to stop conceding so many chances as it is unlikely that they will continue to outperform their expected goals (10.55) with just two goals conceded in League Two so far.
Goalkeeper Jake Turner has picked up a long-term injury but his absence has not been felt as 40-year-old shot-stopper Glenn Morris has impressed in his absence. Full-back Max Clark and midfielder Armani Little have been standouts defensively but it is the work rate of the entire side that has been instrumental in their success.
Upcoming Fixtures and Future Prospects
The squad is one of the strongest in the fourth tier and there is enough quality in this side to continue winning matches so Mark Bonner has all the makings of a team that should be in the mix for promotion. The injury to Jake Turner could turn out to be problematic in the long run but they have drafted in Fulham prospect Luca Ashby-Hammond, who has experience in the fourth tier and he will provide a solution should Morris’ age catch up with him.
They are strong in defence and still have to integrate former star player Bradley Dack, who looks to be an astute acquisition at this level. Gillingham face league leaders Barrow at home in their next outing in a blockbuster clash with both teams level on 16 points and + 8 goal difference after seven matches.
Gillingham had mixed fortunes against Barrow in 2023/24, winning 3-0 in the home meeting but losing 2-0 when on the road. Another home tie follows as Gillingham host Grimsby Town and it could be a tricky fixture as Gills picked up just one point from the two matches between the sides in 2023/24.
It is early days but the signs are there that Gillingham will be in the conversation for automatic promotion. They are efficient without the ball and that was highlighted by assistant manager Anthony Hayes after the win over Notts County. According to Gillingham’s official website, he highlighted their efficiency without the ball which will be key to their chances of promotion:
“We had some really good moments of control, and we were a big threat to their goal, and although they have dominated the ball, we didn’t come here to have a fight for the football. We came here to try and dominate in terms of chances. I think that we have had more shots on target than them. I think they’ve had three, and we’ve had five, with one big chance each.
There were a few melees in between. It was brilliant for Nev [Elliott Nevitt] to score his first goal in the league for us and in a brilliant away day. A massive win for us.”