Thursday 26 November

It’s FA Cup 2nd round action this weekend when we take on League Two newcomers Burton Albion at Priestfield … £27,000 prize money is on offer to the winners, plus the chance of a big money-spinning 3rd round tie against Championship or Premiership opposition. We have no new injury concerns following Tuesday’s win over Yeovil.

Gills boss Mark Stimson hasn’t done any further business prior to the loan transfer window shutting today, Thursday 26th November. There can now be no loan transfers until the window reopens at the beginning of January.

However goalkeepers are the only exception to this rule under the emergency loan arrangement, so there still could be an opportunity for Alan Julian to head out to pastures new between now and year end.

Stimson (right) is said to be happy with what he’s got at the moment after finally getting Febian Brandy from Manchester United on a three-month loan deal. The young striker has already repaid some of the faith shown in him by winning three penalties in as many games due to his lightening pace and silky skills.

The manager said: “We have got a decent bunch of players now who we can work with until January and then see what happens then.”

Stimson admitted he got the right response from his players after they bounced back from disappointment at Bristol Rovers last weekend to beat Yeovil 1-0 at Priestfield on Tuesday evening.

While away form continues to be dreadful, Simeon Jackson’s 10th minute penalty was enough to take the points to register the Gills sixth home win of the season: "The lads have had some constructive criticism over the last 48 hours and they responded in the right way," said Stimson.

He added: "When you give this criticism out you always wonder whether you're being too heavy on them because some of the young lads are still learning the game. But they took it in the right way and they produced, so that was really pleasing."

Stimson is expects a tough test when his side meet League Two outfit Burton this weekend. He said: "It's a big game and a good chance for us to go through but we won't underestimate Burton. I know quite a bit about their players and about their club.

Hopefully we can progress because financially it could mean a hell of a lot to this club. The players won't be complacent because they want another Aston Villa in the next round but so will Burton.

It seems from media reports that midfielder Adam Miller (left) has ‘burnt his bridges’ with Gills while on loan at League Two, Dagenham & Redbridge. He is on a one month loan deal, but is now desperate to extend his time at Dagenham after insisting his career with the Gills is all but finished and feels out of favour with Mark Stimson and wants to leave Priestfield as soon as possible.

Adam told the Barking and Dagenham Post: "I would love to extend my spell here as my time is done at Gillingham. I've always been jealous of Dagenham's spirit, it's awesome and I love playing here."

"I've had lots of ups and downs with Gillingham and I wasn't happy at all. I have made no secret that I don't want to go back as I'm not enjoying it, and when you're not enjoying it, you're not going to get the best out of yourself. I enjoy it here, there's a great chance of us going up and I feel like I’ve gained another 10% in training."

Manager Paul Peschisolido (top right) is lining-up other options for ‘keeper Artur Krysiak after talks stalled. The Polish Under-19 international is with the Brewers from Birmingham until January with a view to a permanent deal.

With that deal now looking doubtful, Peschisolido has begun to look elsewhere: "We'll keep talking in the hope that we can thrash something out, but I can't afford to sit around wondering whether I'm going to have a keeper in a few weeks' time. I've already spoken to a couple of Premier League clubs who both have highly regarded young keepers they are willing to let me have on loan."

Peschisolido did manage to add at least one new face before the tonights (Thursday) loan deadline, when he signed striker Steve Kabba (pictured right) from Brentford. 

Paul Peschisolido, who played alongside Kabba during his time at Sheffield United, hopes that his new loan capture will provide the firepower he feels Burton currently lack. “We may make changes for the Gillingham game but we’ll take a look at things over the next couple of days. I don’t want to give too much away so we’ll have to see.”

On Saturday’s tie, the manager knows they face a tough fixture, especially with striker Simeon Jackson’s current form which is attracting interest from some Championship sides and beyond. He know his team must perform better if they are to cope with the threat.

He said: “Yes, Simon Jackson’s scored a lot of goals but we’ve got good players too. We’re going to have to mark him. If you drop off good players they will drop short to get the ball and they will hurt us. We have to make sure get tight and stop the threat in behind.”

“We need to double up more in the full back areas. All over the pitch we need to get more bodies behind the ball. At the minute, when we attack the opposition always have plenty of people behind the ball and it makes it very difficult for us to score goals.”

“I know people are criticising the back four but we need to have more protection in the middle of the pitch. I’m disappointed that people are criticising Guy Branston (left)

I understand that on the ball he isn’t going to thread the needle, but in defence he is solid.”

“We have to be resilient and if we do that the FA Cup is all about shocks. We are three leagues above Oxford City and they gave us a run for our money so why can’t we do that. There’s no fear but we need to make sure we give them respect.”

Gills Recent League Form - last 6 matches

Albion’s Recent League Form - last 6 matches

Manager: Paul Peschisolido (Record to date: P19 W7 D4 L8)

Nickname: The Brewers

Colours: Home – Yellow & Black. Away – White & Blue.

Ground: Pirelli Stadium

Capacity: 6,912

Transfers in:  Aaron Brown from Yeovil – free, Guy Branston from Kettering – free, Russell Penn from Kidderminster – free, Marc Edworthy from Leicester City – free, Paul Boertien from Walsall – free, Richard Walker from Bristol Rovers.

Loans in: Steve Kabba from Brentford, Artur Krysiak from Brimingham, Jacques Maghoma from Spurs, Shane Redmond from Nottm. Forest, Robin Shroot from Birmingham.

Transfers out: Jake Buxton to Derby – free, Saul Deeney to Derby - signed.

Loans out: Marc Goodfellow to Barrow.

Released: None.

Gills and Burton Albion have never met in competitive league or cup action.

•Their best ever League win was 12-1: v Coalville T. 6/9/1954 Birmingham Senior Cup

•Best ever attendance: 6,191 v. Man Utd 8/1/2006 FA Cup R3

•Most League goals in a season: Greg Pearson: 20 – 2008/09 – Blue Square Premier.

•Most appearances: Darren Stride: 656 from 1993 to date.

Mark Stimson has no new injury worries after a bruising encounter with Yeovil on Tuesday evening.

There won’t be any significant changes to his starting line-up and insists his side will not underestimate their League Two opponents this weekend.

In his non-league management days Stimson has clashed with the Brewers on many occasions and knows his team will have to be at their best if they are to progress in this season's FA Cup competition.

Adam Miller (Dagenham), Luis Cumbers (AFC Wimbledon) and Andy Pugh (Welling) are all out on loan.

Gills eleven from (4-4-2): Simon Royce (GK), Alan Julian (GK), John Nutter, Josh Gowling, Matt Fry, Garry Richards, Kevin Maher, Curtis Weston, Stuart Lewis, Chris Palmer, Mark Bentley, Dennis Oli, Mark McCammon, Simeon Jackson, Febian Brandy, Jack Payne, Andy Barcham, Jacob Erskine, Luke Rooney, Connor Essam, Rashid Yussuff.

Manager Paul Peschisolido has managed to sign experienced frontman Steve Kabba on a month’s loan from Brentford. He said: “I know Steve from my time at Sheffield United. He’s a good lad and if he’s half the player he was back then he will be a great asset to us. He’s quick and he’s desperate to get a run playing first team football.”

He could have experienced defender Paul Boertien (right) available after the full back returned to training following a knee injury. Boertien also completed a full 90 minutes in the Reserves midweek draw with Port Vale.

Striker Andrew Corbett could miss the game as he struggles with a hip injury picked up in the recent reserve game with West Brom. Marc Goodfellow has gone out on loan to non-leaguers, Barrow. LATE NEWS: Goalie Krysiak injured (Thursday) and ruled out of game.

Albion eleven from (4-4-2): Kevin Poole (GK), Artur Krysiak (GK), Paul Boertien, Aaron Webster, Michael Simpson, Tony James, John McGrath, Darren Stride, Andy Corbett, Shaun Harrad, Richard Walker, Keith Gilroy, Shane Redmond, Ryan Austin, Russell Penn, Jimmy Phillips, Greg Pearson, Steve Kabba, Jacques Maghoma, Guy Branston, James Knowles, Aaron Brown, Serge Makofo, Kieron Cadogan.

Knew he would come back to haunt us sooner or later … Saturday’s referee is Mr Trevor Kettle from Lincolnshire. He is an Air Traffic Controller by day and is married with three children.

He was promoted to the National List of Referees in 2003. Major appointments as an assistant referee were FA Trophy and FL Play Off Final in 2001, and Worthington Cup Final and Community Shield in 2002. 4th Official at the League One Play Off Final in 2007.

To date this term he has booked forty-two with no red cards in thirteen games. He was last in charge of a match involving Gills back in March 2008 when we lost 2-1 at Port Vale in League One action. He booked four that day. As far as records show he has never taken charge of a game involving Burton.

His assistants are Mr Wade Norcott from Essex and Mr Gary Young from Bedforshire. Our fourth official is Mr Ian Crouch from London.

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