Gillingham’s Rise to the Top of League Two
Introduction
The table never lies. Gillingham is at the summit of League Two currently. They have had a dream start to their league campaign, with Neil Harris doing a tremendous job of hitting the ground running early. What have the Gills done right in the off-season to have such a strong start in the 2023-2034 season? Will they be able to continue their red-hot form? If they do, Gillingham’s League Two success will have their fans looking at a return to League One.
Foundations of Strong Defense
The Gills have started the season with a rock-solid defense. They were one of the worst defensive sides in League One last year but this time around they look like a completely different side. Gillingham have managed to keep 5 clean sheets in their first 8 games. That is incredible. The back 4 of Alexander, Ogie, Masterson, and Malone have been fantastic and developed quite a chemistry. Add to that the performance of Turner in goal for the Gills; he has been sensational as well. The backups have done their jobs as well, be it Clarke, Morris, or Ehmer. Gillingham has gotten their defensive set-up right. Sir Alex Ferguson once famously said – “Attack wins you games, Defense wins you titles.”
Neil Harris: A Tactical Maestro
Unlike a traditional lower-league side, Neil Harris has been bold with his tactics and formation. He has deployed two holding midfielders and one attacking midfielder as part of the midfield three and then two wingers to support Bonne at the top. The shape deployed by Harris has been very flexible in both senses. It was also smart from the point of view of Gillingham to not dismiss Neil Harris after last year’s poor performance in League Two. They have kept faith in him and it has been rewarded early on. Consistency is always a key ingredient for a club to be successful and by keeping Harris on the job, Gillingham has made sure there is consistency and continuity.
A True Team Effort
This is where Neil Harris and his side have excelled early in the season. Gillingham’s League Two success is not one stand-out player in the squad but rather the whole squad has been a hero. Gillingham is not top of the table because of one or two individuals but rather it has been the teamwork of the whole squad. It’s not only the first eleven but the bench has played a key part too in Gillingham’s fast start. You look at someone like Ashley Nadesen who arrived from Crawley and he has started most of the matches from the bench but he has made such a huge impact off it.
Giant Killing Achievements
Last season, Gillingham scalped Brentford in the EFL Cup before bowing out of the tournament to another Premier League side Wolves. This season Gillingham has repeated the same feat. The Gills knocked Championship favorites Southampton out of the EFL Trophy before getting knocked out by Premier League side Luton Town but not before giving them a scare as well in a 3-2 loss. Gillingham has started their EFL Trophy campaign on a positive note as well. The Gills are topping the table in their group. Gillingham defeated Leyton Orient 2-1 earlier in September and now awaits fixtures against Portsmouth and Fulham U21s next.
Strategic Transfers: Quality Over Quantity
Harris and the Gillingham transfer committee have hit the nail on the head when it comes to transfers this season. They have gone for quality over quantity. Gillingham released and sold more players than what they had brought in but it was all meticulously planned out. Bonne, Masterson, Malone, and Ogie are big signings. Neil Harris’ reputation as a good manager in the EFL division has also been helpful in landing the big names. Currently, Gillingham has possibly one of the best League Two squads in the division.
Conclusion
Gillingham will be serious contenders for one of the top spots in League Two. Gillingham’s League Two success can be attributed to the quality of the players they have assembled in the off-season. That underlines this assertion, proving that with the right strategy and leadership, promotion is achievable.
