Gillingham provide the opposition for Paul Warne’s Rotherham United as they visit AESSEAL New York Stadium in Sky Bet League One on Saturday. We take a look at who the Millers are facing in our opposition analysis…
In The Dugout
Manager Ady Pennock left the side by mutual consent, at the end of September, which was quickly followed by director of football Peter Taylor who left a few weeks later. The Gills currently sit second from bottom in League One after a 2-1 defeat at home to Northampton Town. A respectable 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic looked to have been a starting point for caretaker boss Steve Lovell to kick on, but that defeat sees them remain in the relegation places.
Stats
They are the joint lowest scorers in the League at present, matching 20th placed AFC Wimbeldon, having scored nine goals but conceded 19 in the league so far. Caretaker boss Lovell, who made over 200 appearances for the Gills as a player between 1987 and 1992, will be in dugout again for the game on Saturday and has hinted that he would like to take the job on a permanent basis.
Previous Meetings
This is the 57th meeting between the two sides, with Rotherham winning 18. 15 of the meetings have ended in draws, while Gillingham have prevailed in 23. The last time the Millers played the Gills, the visitors won 4-3 away in April 2014 after substitute Tom Hitchcock scored a 21-minute hat-trick to claim the three points.
Ones To Watch
Some notable players in the Gills squad include six-foot-nine goalkeeper Tomas Holy. He has started 15 games this season and has represented the Czech Republic at Under 16, Under 17 and Under 18 level.
On loan Tottenham defender Connor Ogilvie has linked up with the central defensive pairing of DR Congo international Gabriel Zakuani and former QPR man Max Ehmer at the heart of the defence, with former West Bromwich Albion man Luke Garmston operating at left-back.
Dynamic midfielder Jake Hessenthaler celebrated a milestone with tomorrow’s visitors as he made his 150th appearance for the Gills last Saturday. He’s recently been paired up in the engine room with captain Lee Martin, who scored in the 2-1 defeat to Northampton Town last week.
The goals have been coming from striker Tom Eaves, who is the Gills’ top scorer, scoring five goals in the league since joining in the summer from Yeovil Town on a free transfer.