Gillingham manager Mark Bonner brings his team to the Swansea.Com tonight for a League Cup first round tie (7:45pm) Fresh from a spanking of Carlisle United on the weekend he already believes the Gills are on their uppers.
Swansea cannot take anything that states they we will win this game for granted this evening. With a threadbare squad as it is talk of changes for tonight’s tie will be limited. You only had to see the U21 side against Crewe Alexandra yesterday for proof of that. W (4-0) despite the lack of experience in the side. Bonner on the other hand is talking up his team after their win n Saturday. "That gives us a little shot of confidence, which is nice, but we know how much improvement there is still ahead of us. People will look at the result and take note, which is good, the expectations will go mad, which is normal, but we know we can be better and we will continue to improve.”
"Twenty-nine more wins , that is where our expectations are. I have seen teams win the first game and crash, or vice versa”
Tim Dieng and Conor Masterson were taken off on Saturday, so, there’s a question mark hanging over them for tonight’s game. Josh Andrews and Elliott Nevitt did not play this weekend and George Lapslie has just come back from injury. His days seem numbered at the Gills.
The Swans have the usual players out. What would have been an ideal game for Sam Parker and Aimar Govea will pass them by as they are both injured. Also out is Joe Allen, keeper Andy Fisher and for the long term, Josh Ginnelly. It’s a tough call for head coach, Luke Williams. He really doesn’t need to be involved in a cup shock. Zan Vipotnik should make his home debut. The Slovenian who played in the Euros this year has a whole weight of expectation on his shoulders - with the club again dragging their feet signing the players Luke needs this summer.
As is traditional.
However, we wouldn’t be surprised to see an announcement tonight to what will be a far lower crowd than usual. Liverpool forward, Kaide Gordon needs more time by all accounts to decide on whether to come to Swansea or not. Ruben Providence, who couldn’t be any cheaper last week when Williams stated he liked many of his attributes as a player is still in limbo. How much time the Swans need seems odd ? After bigging the player up after his cameo role against Rio Ave, and then stalling on a deal, the club may well have made it difficult for themselves hence the length of time this is taking. Both Gordon and Providence remain targets, but unfortunately a striker seems to be elusive. Talk of Adama Sidibeh at St Johnstone has dried up as time passes, he scored another two on Saturday for his club. The time moves on and the words of Chairman, Andrew Coleman wear thin. Tyrese Campbell, another target has signed a three year deal at Sheffield United after the Swans couldn’t or wouldn’t match his salary demands.
Tonight’s game kicks off at 7:45pm and is LIVE on Sky. Team news later.