Gillingham start a new era on Saturday with their first competitive game under Steve Evans and the squad will start against Doncaster Rovers – a club who just missed out on promotion after a playoff semi final defeat.

In addition to the changes in the dugout, there have been a number of adjustments in the playing squad. In Evans’ last game in charge of Peterborough, he set out his squad in a 4-4-2 with advanced wingers and with the attacking talent Evans has brought in, there is a chance he will be looking to play in a similar way.

Speaking in his press conference on Thursday morning, Evans confirmed that defender Gabriel Zakuani will sit out the opening months of the season with Matty Willock still in contention to be fit for the opening fixture.

During the weekly press conference, the manager spoke of his love of the opening weekend of the season, describing it as “like Christmas Eve”.

You can read our piece from the press conference here.

The former Peterborough, Leeds and Rotherham gaffer will not be in the dugout as he serves a touchline ban following his an altercation with a referee at the Posh last season. This will cover the opening four matches of the season

Doncaster were a hugely impressive side last season. Despite not having the levels of attention Sunderland, Portsmouth and Charlton achieved, they took the final playoff position from Evans’ Peterborough on the final day of the season.

This weekend will see manager Darren Moore is taking charge at he Keepmoat for the first time since he was sacked by West Bromwich Albion in March.

There was also a big loss for the South Yorkshire club this week with the departure of John Marquis. The striker joined Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee just days before the start of the season. His 21 league goals from last season will be difficult to replicate.

Despite not bringing in a new striker, Rovers have strengthened in defence following their 58 goals conceded in 2018/2019 – only one club had a worse record in the top 11 positions over the season.

Reece James has been brought in from Sunderland at left back whilst the opposite side of defence sees Brad Halliday come in from Cambridge United. The have also signed Goalkeeper Seny Dieng on loan from QPR.

Rovers have also made deals in midfield with Ben Sheaf set to play just in front of the back line on loan from Arsenal and Madger Gomes also coming in. The Spaniard spent last season playing for Alaves’ B team in the third tier of Spanish football.

The Gills have struggled in recent seasons against Rovers with their last win coming back in September 2015. Since then, the clubs have drawn four times with the most recent fixture between the two sides coming at Priestfield in December 2018. Doncaster won that game 3-1 with Gillingham’s goal coming from Callum Reilly.

 

Kick off at the Keepmoat Stadium is at 3pm and, according to the club, fans can still buy tickets at the ground.