Everyone will get their chance, insists new boss Pennock

Gillingham head coach Ady Pennock wants to see what his current strikers can do before hitting the transfer market. Pennock let Frank Nouble go this week after his short-term deal came to an end. Bournemouth’s young striker Sam Surridge remains on offer to the Gills, something that came close to being concluded before Justin Edinburgh was sacked. But Pennock is concentrating on other areas for now, with an enquiry lodged over bringing in a wide man. He said: “I want to give everyone a chance here. I am happy with what I have got and just assessing everyone. Something could be staring us in the face and I hope it is. “I am going to tinker with the team and the shape and it would be silly to do wholesale changes at this time.” Pennock plans to change things at the Gills – on and off the pitch – and hopes the players can adapt. He said: “They need to adjust to how I want things done and then it is down to form. If people aren’t playing well, they won’t be starting. It isn’t rocket science. There is no favouritism and if you are honest to the players, then they will be honest back. It is healthy when it’s like that. “It’s up to them, the ball is in their court and the people that start on Saturday will have the shirt and it’s up to them to keep that shirt.” Striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas will remain on loan with the Gills until the end of the season.