New formation benefits Gillingham midfielder Danny Jackman
Published: 09:35, 23 December 2011
Danny Jackman has benefitted from Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler’s decision to adopt a diamond-shaped midfield more than anyone else.
The 28-year-old set up the opening goal in the 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers, scored the third and was named man-of-the-match after a fine display.
Jackman is playing on the left side of a flexible four-man midfield, which is spearheaded by Curtis Weston and sees Jack Payne taking defensive responsibilities and also includes a steadily improving Lewis Montrose. It is a system that Rovers couldn’t cope with.
The Gills midfielder is revelling in being able to play in a role he feels suits him perfectly.
He said: "It’s a position I enjoy playing. When I came back here under the previous manager, he played me in the middle of a two which I had never played before. It was foreign to me and it took some adapting to.
"That formation on Saturday suits me. My performance showed that I do enjoy it there and I understand it a lot more.
"You don’t want to put people in their wrong positions. You want to get the best out of them and if someone’s strength is getting forward and scoring goals then put them in a position where they can do that.
"It gets the best out of everyone and we are finding our areas now where we need to play in."
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Alex Hoad