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The votes are in and Gillingham fans have predicted that Andy Hessenthaler's men will prove too strong for Cheltenham in their League 2 opener on Saturday at Priestfield.
We asked for your score predictions and this is what you said:
ALEX SARSON (Wellingborough)
I’m excited for the game and the new season. The goal of promotion is a must for the club and I believe we can do it with Hessy back and the new signings (and of course being in black and blue stripes once more). I would like to see Akinfenwa starting, he is proven quality and experience at this level. If Cody McDonald can make it as well, we’re going to have a strike force to easily blow Cheltenham away. The atmosphere should see Gills pick up a win and I expect it to be electric. Hessenthaler’s Barmy Army!
Prediction: Gills 3 Town 1
JAMES STAPLES (Greenwich)
It’s going to be a very interesting afternoon; and I’m really looking forward to seeing Hess back in the manager’s dugout where he belongs. Although at first I was sceptical that going back to a previous manager (albeit a hugely popular one) was the right way for the club to re-build, the pre season campaign has buoyed my optimism. I think we’ve made some astute signings and really believe that Hess can forge a strong team ethic from the players he’s inherited. I think we’ll be too strong for Cheltenham and I’m going for a 2-0 win to the Gills with Akinfenwa on the scoresheet.
Prediction: Gills 2 Town 0
PETE BRUDENELL (Brixton)
As a collective, us Gills fans probably expect more than we should and that won’t have been helped by being made favorites by some bookies. Never the less, I’m confident, heightened more so by the fact that we’ve kept hold of the likes of Andy Barcham, Barry Fuller and Curtis Weston, alongside a number of interesting signings. We haven’t added a tough tackler in the middle of the park which I think we lacked last season, but I am excited about the prospect of young Jack Payne and Spiller’s work rate will be a bonus. It’s anyone’s guess as to the starting line-up, but I’m confident we’ll see a comfortable victory.
Prediction: Gills 2 Town 0
SAM LIVINGSTONE (Pangbourne)
As the start of the season approaches and all the frustrations of last season are brought back by the noise of the Rainham End, it is a chance to try and erase some of those hurtful memories with a new start. As to the game, I think it will start off cagey as some of the new Gills players try to get to grips with the game and I think the goals are most likely to come from midfield as Adebayo is not match fit and Cody is injured. We are looking to the likes of Barcham or Palmer who has had a scintillating pre-season but I think that Weston will score in the first half and then Akinfenwa in the second late on as Cheltenham press for the equaliser!
Predcition: Gills 2 Town 0
PAUL BLAKELEY (Maidstone)
It’s going to be interesting - about eight of the first XI can be guessed but there’s a couple of places up for grabs. I’m eager to see who is going to fill Jacko’s boots. I’m glad Spills is back - with his bite (and supreme jumping skills), hopefully it will allow people like Barcham to shine like we know he can. We’ve got a decent squad so stand a chance in this league. We’re back in stripes and with some Gills legends back there seems to be a better feel around the club. And we’re at home which means we can actually hope for a win!
Prediction: Gills 2 Town 1
ROSS GREEN (Sheerness)
With relegation on the last day of the 09/10 campaign, Gillingham will be looking to go straight back up as League 2 Champions and nothing would show this more than a convincing victory over Cheltenham Town. Returning manager Andy Hessenthaler has strengthened his squad in every position ready for the promotion push. Last season, Cheltenham finished 22nd in League 2, just one place above the relegation spots. The superb home record for Gillingham last season saw victories over Leeds, Southampton and Millwall to name a few so it’s unlikely to be a Cheltenham victory on the cards. With the Gills heavy promotion favourite and Cheltenham one of the bookies tips to be in a relegation scrap, a convincing home victory at Priestfield is likely to be the case.
Prediction: Gills 3 Town 0
LIAM BATCH (Ashford)
Optimism and excitement are two luxury feelings that have disappointingly deserted Gillingham fans in past seasons, but ahead of the upcoming League 2 campaign, I for one am very confident that Hessenthaler and the boys can secure a successful season beginning with a victory on Saturday against Cheltenham. Saturdays game sees the Gills take on a Cheltenham side who will want to fair a lot better than they did last year as they narrowly avoided relegation. Being aware of our remarkable home record, I can see Cheltenham aiming to defend in numbers and hit us on the counter. Despite this, I feel the all round strength of the squad will prove too much for our opposition with new signings Spiller and Akinfenwa adding a new dimension to the style of play the Gills will adopt.
Prediction: Gills 3 Town 0
JAMES BEENY (Hawkhurst)
After the disappointment of relegation, Gillingham fans will be looking to their team to bounce back to League One at the first attempt. Mark Stimson may have achieved this same feat the season before last, but with Andy Hessenthaler returning to the club, the fans will hope to see the team perform with the kind of passion that has disappeared from the club in recent seasons. Last season’s away form was clearly not good enough, and if the team are to come close to achieving their aspiration of automatic promotion this season, this issue is the first that will have to be resolved. Restoring passion and grit to the squad will be the first part of this, but Hess has clearly identified the fact that the previous squad were likely to be bullied off the pitch in League Two. Akinfenwa is a great signing in this respect, and I feel that if he performs in front of goal, with the added threat of Barcham, Weston and hopefully Cody McDonald, Spiller and Aborah, the Gills have an excellent chance of being promoted. Saturday against Cheltenham will be an opportunity to set the tone for the season with an emphatic win.
Prediction: Gills 3 Town 1
MALCOLM SMITH (Grimsby)
Even with the World Cup it feels like it has been a long close season and i can’t wait for the new season. The return of Hess is a big shot in the arm for beligured fans and will ensure a longer honeymoon period than the previous incumbant. As for Saturday who knows what is going to happen...whatever the result I won’t. Last season we thumped Swindon on the opening day of he season and looked what happened from then on...
Prediction: Gills 5 Town 0
ANNE HAWKINS
First off I would like to begin welcoming Andy Hessenthler back to the club. I think it is a great appointment. Looking forward to this weekend's opener against Cheltenham I think we have a very good chance of winning this game and I'm sure the fans will be behind Gills from start to finish. We have brought some decent additions to the squad, such as Danny Spiller, an ex-Gills man and eager to impress Hessenthler, who is his old team-mate. Recently added to the squad Adebayo Akinfewa he is a very big lad! But he's scored his fair share of goals over his career and he's a bit behind in fitness wise but will be a good addition to the squad. I think the gills will win this weekend as we have got a very good squad.
Prediction: Gills 2 Town 0
And finally our special guest from Cheltenham, Robins fans Steve Smith
Pre-season has looked promising and our manager has begged his way around the Football League and created a decent back four and a strong midfield. It’s just up-front where we are lacking but we’re hoping for a Championship striker coming in to play against Gillingham. A lot of pundits have us down as relegation fodder but I really don’t think we will be. I’m quite optimistic although I don’t expect us to win at Gillingham and would be happy with a draw. We do play quite well away and maybe we could nick a winner on the break.
Prediction: Gills 1 Town 1
Now have your say - will Gills triumph or will Cheltenham nick a first-day away win? Use our comments section below.
Don't miss our live text coverage of Gillingham v Cheltenham this Saturday onwww.kentonline.co.uk/sport
