As we look forward to our meeting with Gillingham this Saturday we contacted a very good friend of Vital Walsall to answer some probing questions ahead of this weekends game between the two sides.
Josh Keeble-Wells has an impressive CV. Media guy for Gillingham Ladies, football journalist at The Football Forecast, founder of GillsFancast and newly owner of the newly EFL podcast “Six Pointer”. You can find them on Twitter at @SixPointerPod and also via their website here
Name: Josh Keeble-Wells
Age: 18
How long have you supported Gillingham?
14 years
What was your first game?
Gillingham 2-1 Blackpool
How confident are you in Steve Lovell?
Steve Lovell has been excellent for Gills since being handed the reigns, he’s got us playing some fantastic football early on in the new season
and for the first time in a very long time, I’m optimistic about where we can go as a team.
You started off last season really badly but picked up under Lovell, how do you think you will do this season?
The start to last season was absolutely dreadful. It was without doubt the worst football I’ve ever witnessed at any level, which would probably explain why Adrian Pennock is still unemployed. This season feels quite the contrary though, with a young, exciting side and a united fan base, anything is possible in this division. Like most Gills though, I’d bite your hand off for a comfortable top half finish.
Seems a lot of Gills fans are annoyed by Paul Scally and his lack of investment into the squad – what’s your take on it?
Paul Scally’s lack of investment at Gills has been ‘topical’ for over twenty years now.
As a Gills fan you know what you’re going to get each window, freebies.
The talk of a “bigger playing budget” season upon season has yet to be proven with this summer being an exact repeat.
The lack of investment is annoying and rather worrying but at this stage, I’m used to it.
Are you happy with the clubs transfer dealings this summer?
The club’s dealings this window have been impressive. There were question marks over the connections that Steve Lovell would have when he was appointed full-time, but with the additions of solid League One players like Parrett and Fuller, as well as young prospects Charles-Cook and Brandon Hanlan, Gills fans can be happy with our business in the summer. Keeping our ‘big names’ such as Holy, Zakuani and Eaves are also massive bonuses.
Who are your dangermen?
Going forward Charles-Cook is a massive threat, his pace and roar attacking mindset allows us to open up the game for the likes of Tom Eaves.
If you could take one Walsall player to be in the Gills team who would you pick?
We’re spoilt for choice in midfield so George Dobson is really unlucky to be overlooked as I really like him. Dobson aside, I’m a massive fan of Andy Cook and think he will do brilliantly for Walsall this season so it would have to be him.
What type of Gills team can we expect on Saturday?
You can expect a fast Gillingham team at the Banks’ on Saturday afternoon with a forward line who love to get on the counter-attack and if recent fixtures are anything to go by, I’m sure this will be a cracker.
What is your League 1 predictions for the season – top two, play offs and relegation.
1st – Barnsley
2nd – Sunderland
Play offs
Portsmouth
Charlton
Peterborough
Scunthorpe
Relegated
Oxford (Karl Robinson)
Wycombe
Blackpool
Shrewsbury (I’m sure you’ll like that one)
Finally what is your prediction for Saturdays game?
Walsall 1-2 Gillingham with Cook, Hanlan and Zakuani grabbing the goals
A massive thank you to Josh for his insight into Saturday’s opponents.
We at Vital have a soft spot for Gillingham as they are pretty much the same as ourselves. We wish them the best of luck for the season….apart from on Saturday!
