Alex Gilliead

Not against Gilly getting a new deal. Can see a different role for him now.

 

What's that role other than as a sub

 

Putting the cones out for training

 

Versatile player with a great engine and good technical ability. We all know his weakness which is a lack of goals and assists, but he’s the sort of player a bit like Josh Morris where I could see him without rime or reason getting a decent return. Good club man as well, happy to see him stay.

 

When you have a quality player like McDonald you need a rat around him doing the donkey work. I'm more than ok with this. He is the type of player more appreciated by his teammates than supporters but every team needs these players

 

I think it's a good extension.

No, I don't think he's better than Smallwood, McDonald or any of our attacking options, but McDonald and Pattison don't seem like they're 46 league games a season types and I think there'll be opportunities for someone reliable and athletic with a decent motor to get in there and do a job.

Will he get goals and assists? No. But if he can do the leg work for the better players, that's a good thing as it takes the pressure off them a little bit.

I'd be a bit worried if McDonald goes down early on, though, and we're back to Smallwood and Gilliead for an extended period... but as a utility player providing cover, Gilliead is ideal. You won't get better at this level, as anyone better will be expecting to start whenever fit.

 

Smacks of Sutton last year… seems a nice guy and works hard but his overall game isn’t great. He looks busy and works hard but he’s so ineffective that negates his hard work.

said the exact same on Sutton last year lucky lad to get a deal here but I fully expected him out in January . Calling it now he’s gone in January, similar story.

 

Pros: runs around, puts effort into said running around, nice bloke

Cons: can't pass, very rarely wins a tackle, pulls out of challenges like a coward, very rarely contributes to any forward play, scores or assists are even more rare.

Any other promotion chasing side and he struggles to get on the bench, but I guess it depends on your ambition.

 

What's the one word that changes
Optimist into Pessimist.
GILLIEAD.

 

He is streets ahead of Sutton ability wise in my opinion

 

With our new additions, he’s a squad player and useful sub. However, if MH sees him as a first team starter, then questions should be asked. I’d have thought a one year deal would be the smarter option. Who exactly is in charge with deciding the length of contracts we dish out?

 

I'm happy he has signed on.

He might not start every game this coming season, but he is handy to have in the squad.

Never much of a fan of him before last season when I thought he improved vastly and was one of our most consistent players

 

Ffs he’s shite.

Hopefully, will just be a squad player.

 

Hopefully one that doesn't involve actually using a football.

 

They'll both be warning benches in league 2. He can't be that much better.

 

Cover for injuries.

 

That's why it won't surprise me at all if he's in the starting 11 on the opening day of the season.

 

Glad he has signed he deserves his contract although he does need to up his poor goals tally a bit, maybe a few well timed fist pumps and gurns will up his popularity next season!