RUMOUR - Jack Payne

[knobby_1871]

Gillingham have denied rumours that Reading are trying to sign their promising young midfielder Jack Payne.

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler has said the 18-year-old is capable of playing in the Championship or higher after a string of impressive displays.

Newspaper reports claimed Payne was a target for Reading but the Gills boss told BBC Radio Kent it was news to him.

"I don't want that to happen because I'm selfish and I don't want anything to distract him," Hessenthaler said.

"I want him to keep playing the way he is but it will happen because he's 18-years-old and he's doing well."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/9115843.stm

[Eastkentroyal]

As the Royals were away and Gillingham is just up the road I thought I would go to Priestfield and take a look at him. Not impressed at all really - certainly not a replacement Gylfi which is all we should be looking for in midfield at the moment. Saw a superb display from the Torquay goalie but we don't need one of those either. Sadly no promising strikers to report on. Should have signed Simeon Jackson when we had the chance.

[roadrunner]

Harsh to judge on one game don't you think? Also you can't hope to replace Gylfi, that's all but impossible at this level. All we can hope for a is a decent attacking midfielder with a decent first touch, an eye for a pass and can chip in with 5-10 a season, and they still don't come along very often either.

[Arch]

Agreed. Trying to replace Gylfi with like-for-like is a poor plan. He was a hugely talented player that didn't quite fit any system we could devise. Better to find a hugely talented player who does fit - a striker, say.

[pea]

This guy is a defensive midfielder. More a replacement for Bryn when he retires IMO

[Franchise FC]

This guy is a defensive midfielder. More a replacement for Bryn when he retires IMO

Do the reserves need more cover ?

How many games has Bryn started this season ?

[roadrunner]

This guy is a defensive midfielder. More a replacement for Bryn when he retires IMO

Tabb is the latest player to fill the Gylfi role, and he is/was a defensive midfielder, so why not look for another now he's being encouraged into a more offensive position? Agree that Bryn's time her is up and will almost certainly leave in January or definitely in the summer.

[Elmer Park]

I imagine we are not looking at him necessarily because we think we need another midfield player but because we think he might be 'one for the future'.

[Snowball]

The Gyfli Role idea is becoming a poisoned chalice.

We had a decent winning system, mostly 442 and sometimes 451

Then, to accommodate Gylfi (great talent) we tried to make our 442 players play 451


Now Gylfi is gone, instead of playing a system to suit the players we have we are still
for some reason sticking with the "awkward" system (because maybe the players aren't right for it)
and thrashing around trying to find someone to work in the hole.

McAnuff, Howard, Tabb (not tried Taylor there yet or Antonio) and now (just maybe) some kid in January?

[pea]

This guy is a defensive midfielder. More a replacement for Bryn when he retires IMO

Do the reserves need more cover ?

How many games has Bryn started this season ?

Six, five in the league, which is the 12th highest in our squad. We've had to really use our squad so far this season!

If we're playing 3 midfielders in the centre then we need at least four in the squad. It helps having McAnuff, Armstrong and Kish all able to slot in if need be though.

[Franchise FC]

This guy is a defensive midfielder. More a replacement for Bryn when he retires IMO

Do the reserves need more cover ?

How many games has Bryn started this season ?

Six, five in the league, which is the 12th highest in our squad. We've had to really use our squad so far this season!

If we're playing 3 midfielders in the centre then we need at least four in the squad. It helps having McAnuff, Armstrong and Kish all able to slot in if need be though.

Frankly I'm - I take it back. Can I have custard with my humble pie

[pea]

Surprised me to!

[Ian Royal]

As good as 7 if you consider he came on for Griffin in about the 8th minute against Forest.