DANNY SMITH

@ nicemarker

Last season was gruelling. By January we looked like the sort of team that could suffer back- to- back relegations and drop out of the Football League. It was something of an accomplishment for Neil Harris [ below] that he was able to come in and keep our season alive until the last game, but you’d struggle to find anyone who honestly thought we deserved to stay up.

The big talking point is who will be in the side come July 30 – Harris retained only seven from the relegated squad, and he was pretty vocal that he didn’t necessarily want all of them.

Our key player will be Stuart O’keefe [ above]. His fantastic leadership and commitment will be crucial in pulling the new team together.

Look out for Bailey Akehurst, who looks an exciting prospect at left- back.

The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is very good. After all the divisiveness of Steve Evans’ tenure, Harris was able to unite the fans behind him. The pantomime villain will be Steve Evans. If he’s still at Stevenage when that fixture comes around, he’ll play up to the villain role. The opposition player who grinds my

gears is Luke Norris. I don’t particularly dislike him, but I’ve a strong suspicion he will find a way to score against us.

Fans think our ground is incomplete and wet. The lack of a roof over the away end isn’t very popular in winter.

Fans think our owner is OK, though if things go badly this season, it’s likely that the anger will be vented towards the chairman before the manager. The thing my club really gets right is ticket pricing for under- 16s, which this season is forward- thinking. Hopefully it’ll help to bring in the next generation of Gills supporters.

The one change I’d make would be to get more bums on seats. Our average crowd at Priestfield last term was less than half the capacity. The active player I’d love to have

back is Tom Eaves. He would be one of the best frontmen in this division.

I’m least looking forward to playing

Carlisle. It is quite the trek. I won’t be happy unless we’re fighting for a play- off place. We’ll finish just outside the play- offs.

FFT VERDICT

13TH

Despite committing to an overhaul led by Harris, who was unlucky not to keep them up last season, Gills haven’t rushed to get new players through the door. Former Millwall stalwart Shaun Williams should boss the midfield if he has runners around him, but depth is lacking.