Pool V Gillingham

Pool look to build on their great performance in the cup midweek with the visit of Gillingham to Bloomfield Road. Preview done by JCampbell, and not Toronto Pool.

Blackpool Team News:

Simon Grayson has a selection problem with Simon Gillett available for selection this weekend, also Adrian Forbes may be fit again. But with impressive performances from Wes Hoolahan and Rory Prendergast Grayson may not want to change things about.

Once again Grayson won`t be able to pick Lee Jones, John Murphy, Simon Wiles or Matthew Blinkhorn, all out with injuries.

Player to watch: Wes Hoolahan

If the young Irish man is looking to keep his place in the team after making his first start in the cup this week. The small winger was pulling the strings in the middle of the park and was unfortunate not to get on the score sheet too.

Gillingham Team News:

Manager Ronnie Jepson has been working hard this week to bring in a striker after the sides poor start to the season. Since beating Huddersfield on the first day of the season 2-1, the Gills have lost three league games on the trot to Brighton, Bradford and Northampton.

Mark Bentley is the only major injury worry after taking a knock on his ankle in the Cup game against Millwall. Kelvin Jack should return from a knee injury

Player to watch: Michael Flynn

Midfielder Michael Flynn has made a good start to the season scoring once in five appearances. The Gills captain has been linked with a move to Bloomfield Road but a reported 250k fee being a major stumbling block.

Match Facts & Stats

The two sides met at Bloomfield Road in the last game of the season and fought out a 3-3 draw. Matty Blinkhorn gave Pool the lead but two goals from now departed Darren Byfield gave the Gills the lead. Keigan Parker grabbed a brace to give Pool the lead once again but a late Michael Flynn goal tied the sides.

In the return fixture last year a ten man Pool were defeated 2-1 by the Gills, Keigan Parker gave Pool the lead in the first half, but goals from Christopher Hope and Neil Harris gave Gillingham the lead before Parker was sent off for punching an opponent.

Ref Watch:

M S Pike – Cumbria – Games: 4 Yellow Cards: 5 Red Cards: 0
R Merchant and D Unsworth
Fourth Official : P T Kettlewell

Match Prediction:

Blackpool 3 – 1 Gillingham

Pool – Vernon 2, Morrell
Gills – Flynn

Next Fixtures:

Football League One
Millwall vs Blackpool
02-09-2006