We look ahead to Saturday's league clash
GILLINGHAM V MK DONS
SkyBET League One
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Saturday October 5
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Martin Allen has no fresh injury or suspension concerns ahead of this weekend’s visit of Milton Keynes Dons.
, and revealed on Wednesday that Charlie Lee, Chris Whelpdale and Steven Gregory have now been removed from the transfer list after praising their attitude and display at the weekend.weekend’s impressive 3-0 win over Crewe AlexandraHe could name an unchanged line-up following last
As for MK Dons they may be missing Dean Bowditch who is managing a groin strain. He was expected to be fit for last weekend’s home game with Stevenage but suffered a setback during training.
Danny Green, on loan from Charlton, will contest his final game for the Dons before returning to the Valley following a one month stay.
The midfielder started last week and will be looking to retain his place, although George Baldock and Jason Banton are both pushing for a starting position.
Defender Antony Kay has been ruled out of action for 12 weeks after undergoing surgery on a hip problem, so former Gills loanee Tom Flanagan may well get a call up.
Manager Comments:
Martin Allen, formerly the Manager at stadium:mk, said it made no difference that the Gills are playing one of his former clubs this weekend and is pleased that the team spirit is back to where it should be.
He said: "The supporters that went up to Crewe, and I’m sure the media, will have witnessed, what I would say, is our best performance of the season.
“To a man on the pitch and off the pitch with the subs, everyone played their part and it was 18 men plus the staff and the supporters. It was superb.
“They have trained hard; they have worked hard and reacted the right way. They are good blokes and on we go.
“We will play the way we played last week and then we will see what happens.
“Of course, when results are not going your way, it’s a testing, tricky time and it’s important I focus on the players, and staff, and of course myself, and how to make things better.
“The spirit and unity within the group is most definitely getting better and back to its best.
“Honesty, hard work, dedication, discipline, respect is the key.”
here.You can read Martin's message from earlier in the week by clicking
Although the Gills recorded their first victory last weekend, MK Dons boss Karl Robinson says this has made no difference on how and his staff have prepared for the match.
Speaking to the club’s website he said: “Their win last week doesn’t have any effect whatsoever on our preparations because we knew the enormity of the challenge before they won their game.
“Martin’s a great guy and whatever happens in his previous game has no relevance for his next game. It was important for them to get off the mark but we know it will have no impact on what happens this week.
“We’re his old Club and there are plenty of players in that team that played against us in the past but we’re going into the game full of confidence. We’ve had a good couple of days and the players will be back in today to prepare for the game.”
MK Dons - the season so far
in SkyBET League One with 16 points to their name (four wins, four draws and one defeat).
thKarl Robinson’s side come in to the game 6
They started the season brilliantly having gone undefeated in their first five matches in all competitions, and have lost just once in the league – that coming away at Peterborough on September 21.
After finishing in eighth place last season in the league table Robinson added to his squad over the summer as he looks to launch another promotion charge.
Ben Reeves and Lee Hodson were permanent signings from Southampton and Watford respectively, while Jason Banton (Crystal Palace, midfielder), Samir Carruthers (Aston Villa, midfielder), Danny Green (Charlton, midfielder) and Patrick Bamford (forward, Chelsea) joined on loan.
Aside from their league campaign the Dons reached the second round of the Capital One Cup before being eliminated by Sunderland following a 4-2 defeat at the Stadium of Light.
They have also got through to the next stage of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy (to be played against Stevenage on Tuesday) after defeating Northampton 2-0 at the start of September.
Previous Meetings:
.2-2 draw was played out at MEMS Priestfield StadiumThe last time the two sides met was in March 2010 when a
Dennis Oli seeing red before the interval.Adam Miller and Andy Barcham got the goals for the hosts, with Mark Stimson’s side having to see out the second half with just ten men with
In total the clubs have only met nine times with the Gills recording two victories, MK Dons winning three times and the other four games resulting in a draw.
Current Form:
Gills: DLLLW (4 points)
MK Dons: WDWLW (10 points)
Betting Odds:
If you fancy a flutter on the weekend’s game at Priestfield then why not have a gamble on the Gills recording a second straight 3-0 victory?
SkyBET are offering odds of 50/1 on this to happen, while a 2-2 draw, which was the result the last time the two clubs met, is 14/1.
www.skybet.com/gillinghamTo receive a free £10 bet and gain access to the best Football Odds, visit
SkyBET League One Fixtures:
Sheff Utd v Crawley (Friday 745 KO)
Brentford v Rotherham
Colchester v Wolves
Notts County v Crewe
Oldham v Leyton Orient
Peterborough v Preston
Port Vale v Bristol City
Shrewsbury v Carlisle
Stevenage v Coventry
Swindon v Tranmere
Walsall v Bradford
Match Officials:
Referee: James Linington
Assistants: Craig Hicks and David Rock
Fourth Official: Darren Blunden