Something’s got to change

Three games without a win have exposed some of Gillingham’s frailties. As Gareth Ainsworth returns to Shrewsbury, is a change of formation the answer – or does the problem run deeper?

Originally published in Gills Journal by David Tickner

Thirteen games played - just over a quarter of the season - and Gillingham’s season has already been something of a rollercoaster. The highs of convincing home victories over Bristol Rovers and Tranmere. The thrills of the four-goal wins at Rochdale and Rotherham. And then, the dip of the last three games: well-beaten at Accrington, hanging on for a draw with Port Vale and the nauseous second half thumping by Grimsby last weekend.

The ride so far gives added significance to this Saturday’s visit to Shrewsbury. Another defeat – particularly a heavy one - would intensify comparisons with previous seasons where Gills have started strongly but fallen away by Halloween. Ainsworth himself sensed the spectre of seasons past warning after last weekend’s performance: ‘We’re going to end up in a relegation battle. We don’t want that.’

To stop the slide and restore some calm to sections of the fanbase, Saturday’s priority should be to avoid defeat at the New Meadow. This will require a sustained ninety-minute plus performance that solves Gills’ recent second half problem. Across the last three matches, Gillingham’s goal record by half is striking. First half goals combined are 3-3. Second half: 0-5 with all five second half goals conceded between the 54th and 70th minutes.

The injuries to - amongst others, Liam Gordon, Kadeem Harris and Eli King - have undoubtedly restricted Ainsworth’s options both in his starting eleven and from the bench. How much difference their continued availability might have made to Gillingham’s league position is difficult to measure but their absences have certainly reduced the manager’s room for manoeuvre.

Ainsworth reported this week that Gordon is back training on the grass and that he could return around Christmas, earlier than previously feared. Unfortunately, King has required further surgery on his ACL and, like Harris, is effectively out for the rest of the season.

Zane Albarus, Cameron Antwi, Will Goodwin, Lamin Sillah and Sam Tabares are all reported to be close to returning with Ainsworth expecting at least one player back for Shrewsbury. Nevertheless, availability will again influence his team selection. While urging supporters not to panic, he acknowledged in his pre-match interview that after the 15-minute second half collapse against Grimsby, ‘We need to shake it up a bit.’

A change of shape?

A back four could provide greater defensive stability but simply fielding four defenders rather than three offers no guarantee. Much still depends on the protection in front of them and how the full backs operate. There are also practical obstacles. Ainsworth has used a back three throughout the season and lacks fit and established specialist full-back options. Introducing an unfamiliar defensive system in those circumstances limits the appeal of a wholesale switch.

A return to 3-1-4-2 is more appealing. It would retain the familiarity of three centre backs - Beckles, Dobbs and Smithwould be my preference at this time - while offering the defence additional protection and improving linkage with the midfield. It could also help counter the 3-4-1-2 system Shrewsbury have deployed in recent league games with Kian McMahon-Brown operating behind the front two.

The question is, of course, who to play in that holding role. Gillingham have played this system twice in the League this season - in the win at Rochdale, arguably their best performance of the season, and in the less convincing 1-1 draw at Chesterfield that preceded it.

At Rochdale, Zech Obiero debuted there but sustained an injury inside 20 minutes and having returned to his parent club, Leyton Orient, for treatment and, like Gordon, is expected to be available again around Christmas.

Obiero was replaced at Rochdale by fellow debutant, King who was excellent that day. King impressed similarly in the home wins against Tranmere and Bristol Rovers but headed back to the treatment room in the first half of the defeat at York.

Zane Albarus is another candidate. His youthful energy and exuberance impressed in early season, but he hasn’t been seen since picking up an injury and a red card at York.

Robbie McKenzie has the defensive experience to shield the back three and disrupt Shrewsbury’s number ten. He performed that role at Chesterfield before being replaced by Antwi after 75 minutes. Although the hosts dominated in terms of chances, Gillingham still secured a point which would be a satisfactory outcome on Saturday given recent form.

3-1-4-2 offers another advantage in two dedicated forwards. Although top scorer Ronan Hale got the goal against Grimsby last weekend, he often seems isolated when leading the line and can benefit from playing alongside a more orthodox centre forward – Sillah, if fit, or Tom Eaves.

Subject to their fitness and availability, I would like to see a return to midfield for Harry Waldock alongside James Brophy with Nick Freeman and Conor McManus retaining attacking width without compromising their defensive duties according to how the game unfolds.

More than a starting line-up

Of course, the starting line-up and its organisation are only part of the picture. The effectiveness of any formation depends on the players’ decisions and execution not simply their starting positions.

When questioned about his post-Grimsby remarks over whether some players were good enough for League Two, Ainsworth acknowledged their commitment but called for better decisions, more accurate passing and improved execution in key moments.

McManus echoed that assessment, attributing the team’s problems to inconsistency rather than a lack of ability. He also stressed the need to recognise recurring patterns and learn from mistakes.

Gillingham’s recent second half problems also underline the need for Ainsworth and his players to respond to the opposition, their adjustments and the changing pattern of the game. They did so very successfully at Rochdale and Rotherham, but injuries have reduced the available options in recent weeks. Tactical changes need to be made quickly and effectively while the team must show the physical and mental durability needed to prevent first half parity from unravelling after the interval in the way it has in the past two games.

Shrewsbury finding their feet

Shrewsbury sit tenth in League Two, one point and two places above Gillingham. They have garnered 11 points from their last six league games compared with Gillingham’s five. While Gills are winless in three, Shrewsbury have collected seven points from their last three. Victories over Bristol Rovers and Crawley followed an eventful 3-3 draw at Rotherham last weekend. McMahon-Brown’s red card in that match was overturned on appeal this week making him available for Saturday. Shrewsbury have won three of their six home league games this season. Ainsworth described them as a solid side with three strong central defenders, capable of transitioning quickly from defence to attack.

Shrewsbury’s recent recovery follows a difficult start to the campaign. After relegation from League One in 2025 and a disappointing 2025/26 season in which they finished in 19th, manager Gavin Cowan – appointed in January as a successor to Michael Appleton – has begun to instil greater stability. Their results indicate an improving side although 20 goals conceded in 13 league matches and a goal difference of minus four suggest some defensive weakness.

Shrewsbury also won in midweek beating Everton’s Under 21s 2-1 in the EFL Trophy. Former Gills youngster Joe Gbode started and provided the assist for Michael Golding's opening goal. On loan from Luton, it was Gbode’s fourth competitive start of the season with seven further appearances off the bench. He is yet to score for Shrewsbury.

History offers hope

With Gillingham travelling to Shropshire seeking a recovery, there is historical encouragement. In last season’s corresponding fixture, they trailed 3-1 at half time at New Meadow before a McKenzie penalty and an 86th minute header from substitute Elliott Nevitt rescued a point. Garath McCleary’s spectacular injury-time strike from 25 yards secured a 1-0 victory in the final league game of the season.

The 2009 League Two play-off final victory over Shrewsbury, sealed by Simeon Jackson’s 90th minute header, followed a 7-0 away thumping for Mark Stimson’s side at New Meadow earlier that season.

Gillingham’s most recent win at Shrewsbury came under Justin Edinburgh in 2016 and was also a comeback. 2-0 down after half an hour, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored twice and Max Ehmer secured all three points with Bradley Dack supplying the cross for the first goal and the corner for the winner.

This will be Ainsworth’s second return to a club he left in difficult circumstances. Having taken charge of Shrewsbury in November 2024, he departed for Gillingham the following March after five wins, five draws and 12 defeats with the club bottom of League One and 14 points from safety.

He now returns with Gillingham needing to show that he can steer his current side through a difficult spell. It’s a challenge he feels optimistic about insisting things will improve and inviting supporters to, ‘breathe, relax and enjoy the ride.’

Verdict

Despite my preference for a return to a 3-1-4-2 line-up, Gillingham’s response at Shrewsbury must extend beyond team selection and formation. Fitness permitting, Ainsworth needs to field a starting eleven and bench capable of controlling midfield, defending solidly and adapting as the game unfolds – something they have struggled to do in recent games. For now, a low scoring draw would be enough to halt the recent slide and apply the brakes to the season’s rollercoaster.

Prediction: Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Gillingham

David Tickner writes regularly about Gillingham Football Club on Substack. You can read, follow or subscribe for free at Gills Journal | David Tickner | Substack