Gillingham join the Road to Wembley in the Emirates FA Cup this weekend as they head to South Wales to face Newport County at Rodney Parade with Richard Dobson keen to see the Kent side progress.
For Dobson, he’ll be looking for his side to give recovering manager Gareth Ainsworth a boost on his own “Road to” as the Gills look for a second-round place for the third time in four seasons.
Rodney Parade of course has happy memories for the Gills as it was there just six weeks ago that they secured a record-breaking unbeaten Football League Club record, but since then the side’s form has been varied, though Dobson knows full well that on Cup-day, League form counts for nothing.
Speaking to KSN this week, he told us, “That game will mean nothing when it comes to our team selection. I think they have changed their system in the last weeks and we have to be aware of that and the threats that they will pose.”
“We know from that game that they were very good for the first twenty minutes and put us under a lot of pressure and we know that we will have to start better than we did on that day.”
“But having seen them recently we are well aware of the threats and the people playing for them so we’re not going in blind, but we wouldn’t do that to anyone, we will always do our homework.”
“So, I think it will be a different game from last time, they will be more wary of us and our threats, as we will be more wary of them!”
“It’s a good game and one that we are definitely looking forward to and progressing in the FA Cup. The Cup is important for the history of football in this country.”
“I really think that we all need to continue to respect this competition as I think we have lost a little bit of respect around the League Cup and the sides that are being put out in that now.”
“I think it is really important that we have a wonderful competition in this country that we need to respect.”
“I have some great memories in the FA Cup. When we were at Wycombe we played at White Hart Lane against Spurs – we were 2-0 up at half time and then 3-2 up on 83 minutes then Dele Ali scored on 90 minutes and ninety plus seven Son scored with the last kick of the game!”
“Hell of a game – brilliant game of football – and afterwards we went for a drink with Pochettino and we had a great time – but the respect was amazing and he said something that day that will live with me forever; he said, “In Italy, Spain, Germany, small Club comes to a big Club, sit on the edge of their box and defend, big Club wins and everyone goes home.”
“I come to this Country and everyone talks about “the magic of the FA Cup”, you came to our home, you attack us, you attack us, five thousand crazy fans and you nearly beat us – today I learn about the magic of the FA Cup.”
Dobson confirmed that Player of the Year Glenn Morris will definitely miss the game and could be “out for a while” with the injury that forced him off against Salford City last weekend, and whilst none of the injuries have cleared up sufficiently to be included, Jonny Williams and Sam Gale, who were both suspended against Salford, are both in the squad for the trip to Wales.
That means the likes of Garath McCleary and Jonny Smith will be once again missing with Jake Turner to be the goalkeeper. With Taite Holtam having played in the FA Cup already this season for Ashford United, The Gills may go into the game without a goalkeeper on the subs bench.