Saturday 20th March 2010 - Kick Off 15:00

Football League Division One

Venue: The Valley

Gills Recent League Form - last 6 matches

Charlton’s Recent League Form - last 6 matches

Only our fifth away point of the season came at Edgeley Park last weekend, but should we be encouraged by it being a second away draw in the last three outings?

It means we’re two games unbeaten after the fine 2-0 win over play-off chasers, Huddersfield the Saturday before, however wins for fellow strugglers Brighton and Oldham midweek has seen us slip down to 19th in the table.

Boss Mark Stimson was in an optimistic mood ahead of the trip to The Valley on Saturday. He said on Thursday to the local media: "We have enjoyed the fantastic weather this week. There is a good mood in the camp. We have got four points from six and have got a big game coming up.”

"The supporters have been looking forward to this one. This is one of the ones they look out for first when the fixtures are released at the start of the season. There have not been many games between the sides in the last few years. It will be a great game for us and we have an army coming to support us. I’m told we have sold 2,500 tickets."

Gills’ last trip to London in early February resulted in a 4-0 defeat at Brentford in front of a big away following and Stimson doesn’t want a repeat performance of that day (including the burger thrown in his direction).

He added: "Every away game we take big numbers with us, we did at Brentford and even at Stockport last week we had big numbers. We want to make the supporters proud in every game but that wasn’t the case in the Brentford game. If we can peform on Saturday like we did in the first game against Charlton, then we have every chance.”

"They are not on the best of runs but they are a good side. They have got quality, a lot of speed and experience. We have a lot of potential in our squad but they have players who have been there, seen it and done it."

Gills first team coach Mark Robson (left) is relishing the challenge of keeping the club in League One. With Robson’s former club Charlton the opponents this weekend, it is crucial we get some sort of result with 10 matches remaining.

It’s a different test for Robson and the rest of Stimson’s coaching staff from last season in League Two where wins were a regular thing: "I love it," said Robson. "This is a good experience but it’s one that I wish I don’t have too much of. It would be nice to get in every Monday morning after a win."

Robson comes face-to-face this Saturday with many players he helped develop through Charlton’s academy before he left two years ago.

Rob Elliot, Lloyd Sam, Chris Solly and Scott Wagstaff are in their squad and all were under Robson’s guidance, however he believes Gills are catching up with their rivals with the likes of Luke Rooney, Jack Payne (right) and Tom Wynter breaking through from youth ranks.

Robson added: "The boys from Charlton joined them when they were in the Premier League. There’s a slight difference because when you are up the leagues, you can get a higher quality of player.”

"They got their chance because the club were relegated while our players have got their chance because of the financial position we are in. We’re always going to give them an opportunity."

Finally boss Mark Stimson has run the rule over three new possiblel signings as he looks to strengthen his squad for the final run-in. He has offered trials to to striker Serge Mitanga, midfielder Marc Manga (left) and teenage Kieren Joseph during Gills' reserve clash with Crawley last Wednesday (after the result they may not be of any interest anymore?).

Frenchman Manga has previously been on loan with League Two table-toppers Rochdale, Joseph is looking for his first professional contract, while Mitanga was part of England's squad in last year's Homeless World Cup for England.

The Addicks, currently sitting third in League One, are five points behind second placed Leeds United, but eight points clear of Huddersfield in seventh, so they look likely to claim a play-off place.

Their home form has been excellent this season with eleven wins, five draws and only two defeats at the Valley, though Brighton proved they can be beaten, claiming all three points in a 2-1 away win in February.

Boss Phil Parkinson has called for a 'positive reaction' from his players as they bid to bounce back from the heavy defeat at Millwall last weekend.

They were thumped 4-0 by their South-East London rivals which left them ‘licking their wounds’ in the early stages of the week.

Parkinson has now rallied his troops ahead of Saturday’s game: "We need a positive reaction. So far this week, training has indicated we'll get that, but we need to do the basics right first and foremost. That's what we'll be concentrating on between now and Saturday, giving ourselves a platform to go and win a football game. We need to be more solid as a team and I'll be picking a side which I feel can give us that.”

"As you can imagine, the mood on Monday wasn't great. But we had a chat with the lads on Tuesday and spoke about the performance and we've moved on. I spoke to them as a group and as individuals. They're a good set of lads and their pride has been hurt. We need to put that right on Saturday. It's a big game, but the next 10 games are all big games and they're all equally important."

He added: "The manager has to lift himself, and after a defeat like that it is difficult, but I came in on Monday ready to go again and tackle the next challenge ahead."

While there will be a few familiar faces for the Addicks in the Gills contingent, such as former coach Mark Robson, and players Simon Royce, James Walker and Rashid Yussuff, striker Chris Dickson cannot play for the Gills under the terms of his loan agreement.

"He can't play, but he hasn't been figuring too much for them anyway, so I don't think it will disrupt them too much," said Parkinson.

A new face has arrived this week at The Valley with 24-year-old defender Gary Borrowdale (left) joining on a one-month emergency loan deal.

The player hasn’t featured at QPR since the arrival of new boss Neil Warnock, so Addicks boss Parkinson got his man.

Parkinson said: "We're pleased to get Gary on board. I think everyone realises that we need a recognised left-back and Gary is a quality player with a natural left foot who gives us balance on that side of the pitch."

Manager: Phil Parkinson (Record to date: P71 W24 D24 L23)

Nickname: The Addicks

Colours: Home – Red & White. Away – Sky Blue & Navy Blue stripes.

Ground: The Valley

Capacity: 27,111

TICKET NEWS:

You can no longer buy your tickets at Priestfield, however they can be purchased from the Valley on the day of the game, subject to availability.

Prices:

Adult - £25   Concession (Over 60 & Under 21) - £17   Under 18 - £5

Ambulant Disabled (Adult & Concession) - £17   Ambulant Disabled (Under 18) - £5

Disabled Helper – Free   Wheelchair Adult & Concession with Helper - £17 per pair

Wheelchair under-18 with Helper - £5 per pair.

What’s it like for Gills fans?

Gills fans will be in the Jimmy Seed (South) Stand at one end of the ground, which is slightly raised above pitch level, making for a generally good view. We are taking more or less the full compliment, so it will reach its 3,000 capacity. This stand being older than the rest of the ground, looks am little tired, but still better than many other League One grounds.

A visiting Leeds fan noted: 'There is one solitary supporting column in the entire ground and guess where it is? Right in the middle, behind the goal, in the away supporters end. The stewards, who took a relaxed attitude to the away supporters who stood throughout the match, although expect to be searched on the way in'.

There are refreshment areas on either side of the stand. As to be expected those located by the entrance turnstiles, tend to be busiest, whilst those on the other side of the stand are normally less congested.

It is worth noting that if you don’t have a ticket for the game you can only gain entrance to the ground by ticket, which you have to buy from a ticket booth beforehand.

Information courtesy of www.footballgroundguide.com

Transfers in: Christian Dailly from Rangers – free, Frazer Richardson from Leeds – free, Miguel Llera from MK Dons – free.

Loans in: Gary Borrowdale from QPR, Akpo Sodje from Sheffield Wednesday, Kyel Reid from Sheffield United, Elliot Omozusi from Fulham, David Mooney from Reading.

Transfers out: Zheng Zhi to Celtic – free, Andy Gray to Barnsley – signed, Nicky Weaver to Dundee Utd – free, Rashid Yussuff to Gillingham – free, Josh Wright to Scunthorpe – free, Mark Hudson to Cardiff - £1.075 million.

Loans out: Dean Sinclair to Grimsby, Chris Dickson to Gillingham, Izale McLeod to Peterborough, Luke Holden to Wrexham, Alex Stavrinou to Ebbsfleet, Stuart Fleetwood to Exeter, Yassin Moutaouakil to Motherwell.

Released: Matt Holland, Jonathan Fortune.

We have met the Charlton 31 times in total to date. Our first was back in the 1921/22 season when won 2-0 at Priestfield, then drew 0-0 at The Valley.

Our last meeting was at Priestfield back in October which ended in a 1-1 draw – Simeon Jackson was on target for us, while John Nutter netted an own goal for the Addicks.

The total record reads: Gills wins - 4, Charlton wins - 13, draws - 10.

•  Most capped player – Mark Kinsella – 33 caps for Republic of Ireland

•  Best attendance: 75,031 v. Aston Villa 12/2/1938 – FA Cup R5

•  Biggest league win: 8-1 v. Middlesbrough – 12/9/1953 D1 (old)

•  Most league appearances: Sam Bartram – 583 – 1934 to 1956

•  Most goals in a season: Ralph Allen - 32 – 1934/35 D3 South (old)

•  Biggest transfer fee received: £10 million for Scott Parker from Chelsea – Jan 2004

•  Biggest transfer fee paid: £4.75 million for Jason Euell to Wimbledon – July 2001

Striker Chris Dickson cannot feature due to the terms of his loan deal from Charlton. Leading scorer Simeon Jackson is rated doubtful after tweaking his hamstring at Stockport County last weekend.

That could mean a starting place for Dennis Oli (right) or James Walker alongside Rene Howe if Stimson continues with a two man attack?

Gills eleven from (4-4-2): Alan Julian (GK), Simon Royce (GK), John Nutter, Josh Gowling, Garry Richards, Kevin Maher, Curtis Weston, Stuart Lewis, Chris Palmer, Danny Jackman, Mark Bentley, Dennis Oli, Simeon Jackson, James Walker, Andy Barcham, Jack Payne, Tom Wynter, Rashid Yussuff, Rene Howe, Darren Dennehy, Adam Miller.

Phil Parkinson is likely to make changes after his sides embarrassing 4-0 defeat at local rivals, Millwall.

Loan winger Kyel Reid is doubtful with a hamstring strain, while fellow loanee Johnnie Jackson has returned to Notts County with a similar problem. Scott Wagstaff, Lloyd Sam, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Spring and top scorer Deon Burton (pictured left) are all hoping for recalls.

Defenders Grant Basey (ankle) and Kelly Youga (knee) are definitely ruled out. Parkinson boosted his defensive options with the loan signing of left-back Gary Borrowdale from Q.P.R this week.

Addicks eleven from (4-4-2): Robert Elliot (GK), Darren Randolph (GK), Frazer Richardson, Nicky Bailey (bottom left) Miguel Angel Llera, Jose Semedo, Jonjo Shelvey, Therry Racon, Leon McKenzie, Deon Burton, Lloyd Sam, Matthew Spring, Scott Wagstaff, Sam Sodje, Chris Solly, Dave Mooney, Kyel Reid, Akpo Sodje, Christian Dailly, Gary Borrowdale.

The Football League has seen fit to appoint the bizarre Mr Paul Taylor as the referee this weekend. Click full story on Paul Taylor

After trying to ruin our home clash with Norwich last September with six yellows and one red, one thing you can be sure of with him is that both sets of fans will be suggesting that he doesn’t know what he is doing?

Having joined the list of Football League Linesmen in 1986, Paul has somehow made it to be the most senior match official, and has been a National List referee since 1990.

He started his refereeing career in 1977 and operated initially on the Hertfordshire County and Isthmian Leagues. Has refereed the FA Sunday Cup Final, the 2006 League Two Play Off Final in addition to numerous other senior games including refereeing an International game Nigeria v Venezuela.

To date this term in just twenty-five games he has booked 103 and red carded nine. He last took charge of a Gills game in September (as mentioned earlier) – the 1-1 draw against Norwich at Priestfield in League One – booking six and sending off one. For the Addicks fans he must have had an off day, booking just one in their 2-1 defeat at Southampton’s St. Mary’s back in November.

His assistants are Mr John Farries from Oxfordshire and Mr Wes Linden from Middlesex. Our fourth official is Mr Oleksandr Saliy also from Middlesex.