The Hat-Trick: 3 burning questions ahead of Gillingham v Walsall

A big crowd is expected, and it’s a chance for Gareth Ainsworth’s new-look Gills side to make a big first impression against a team that has been a solid top-half outfit over the last couple of seasons.

Here are our three pre-match questions we’re hoping we’ll get answered by 5pm on Saturday afternoon:

It would seem that Liam Gordon and Omar Beckles are nailed-on starters at centre-back at the start of the campaign, but with Ainsworth seemingly favouring a 3-4-2-1 formation, that means we’ll need another centre-back to play alongside them.

Andy Smith is the next most senior option, while Logan Dobbs looked pretty solid while deputising for Gordon against Luton in the Carabao Cup last week. Then there’s Robbie McKenzie, whose best performances last season arguably came when playing in the middle of a defensive three.

Another option could be Conor McManus. The new signing from Brentford would offer some left-sided balance to the trio, while providing cover for Kadeem Harris to push forward from left wing-back in front of him.

Ainsworth has options, and it’ll be interesting to see who he goes with this weekend.

We’ve just mentioned Dobbs and McManus as possible defensive starters, but there’s a host of young players who could feature on Saturday.

Zane Albarus impressed in the middle of midfield in pre-season, and may start, while Sam Tabares will offer a right-sided option in defence, or at wing-back, once he’s fit.

Then there’s the likes of Louie Dayal and Sully Booth, who can both come off the bench to add energy and trickery in wide areas.

This Gills squad has a lot more youth to it this season, and a number of our emerging prospects could play an important part for us as the season unfolds.

It’s been a while since we’ve had two legitimate strikers capable of scoring regularly for us, but with Hale and Goodwin both likely to start on Saturday, it looks like we do now.

Goodwin offers that old-school target man that Gareth Ainsworth has grown to love over the years, while Hale brings that goal-poaching style that we all hope will mesh well with our new number 9 up top.

It’s always important to get your goalscorers off and running early in the league, so their seasons don’t start with an early drought, so fingers crossed at least one of them will find the net this weekend.

And if both men get themselves on the scoresheet, it could be a very positive start to the new league season.

THE GENERALS: Gareth Ainsworth's new group of locker-room leaders will drive standards in the dressing room and, hopefully, success on the pitch this season. But fans will have to wait until matchday to learn the identity of Gillingham's new skipper.

SMUDGE READY FOR OPENER: Gillingham centre-back Andy Smith is encouraged by the club's summer refresh, and is looking forward to the start of the new League Two campaign.

KICK UP THE BACKSIDE: Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth wasn't happy with the manner of his side's Carabao Cup first-round exit to Luton Town, but said he's grateful for the chance to address the problems before the EFL season gets underway.

ROAD WARRIORS (FREE TO READ): Gills fans are used to travelling long distances, so it should be no surprise to see them featuring high up in this season's League Two awayday mileage list.

ZANE'S ALL THE RAGE: Gills young gun Zane Albarus admits he's been 'flattered' by the positive reaction he's had from the fans, but said he knows better performances are coming.

SIMON HEAD COLUMN: The manner of Gillingham's EFL Cup defeat to Luton Town set the alarm bells ringing among certain sections of the Gills fanbase, but without a ball kicked in anger in the league, it's way too early to hit the panic button.

BLOOD, SWEAT & GILLS: Simon Head teams up with Matt from Gills In The Blood TV for Gills 365's brand new Gillingham FC podcast.

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