Tranmere trip provides early test for Ainsworth’s Gills

Gills head up to Prenton Park on Saturday, both us and Tranmere sitting on four points, separated only by goal difference. Gareth Ainsworth’s lot were dumped out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, but the unbeaten league run is still alive, and this trip to Merseyside is a proper early test of whether our ugly-but-effective style can get it done away from home.

A quick look back at Tuesday

Ainsworth made six changes for the visit of AFC Wimbledon and a sluggish first half gave the visitors the lead when Danilo Orsi freed Antwoine Hackford to finish. Gills responded after the break; Ethan Coleman crashed a header home from Max Clark’s corner in the 83rd minute, and Robbie McKenzie rattled the bar before the tie went to penalties. Wimbledon converted all four of their kicks while Jonny Williams and Josh Andrews missed for Gillingham. Ainsworth refused to dwell on the defeat, telling BBC Kent he felt like a winner because of the performance. With cup commitments over, the focus turns fully to the league.

Media take – pragmatism over polish

Kent Online’s match report described the cup tie as a scrappy contest in which Gillingham “came alive late” and noted that six changes disrupted their rhythm. The same outlet later quoted Ainsworth praising Tranmere’s 4-0 weekend win and warning that Andy Crosby has “signed well” and made them stronger at home. The manager also revealed that defender Conor Masterson will miss a few weeks, Shad Ogie should return, and winger Aaron Rowe is back in training. Those selection headaches will likely see Coleman start in midfield and 6ft 5in Andrews lead the line again.

Journalist Simon Head’s piece for Football League World dissected Gillingham’s 1-0 league win over Walsall and highlighted five “game-changing” qualities: an ability to win ugly, Ainsworth’s willingness to tweak tactics mid-game, a deep pool of defenders, energy from the bench and, crucially, a towering striker who can bully defences. Bradley Dack’s goal that day came from a long throw, and Sky Sports noted there were few clear-cut chances. The conclusion from the media is clear – these Gills are built on grit and set-piece prowess rather than free-flowing football.

Fans largely agree. One supporter (@BQGillsFan) said on X that the team’s second-half intensity against Wimbledon is “how we should play weekly” and felt it was harsh on Williams and Andrews to miss in the shoot-out. Another fan told Kent Online’s comments section that Saturday’s gritty win showed a side willing to “win ugly” but complained about the long-ball approach. This mixture of pragmatism and frustration sums up the current mood.

Opposition focus – buoyant Tranmere

Tranmere’s Carabao Cup tie was postponed because of a power cut, so they enjoyed a free midweek. In league action they opened with a 1-1 draw at Colchester, where Connor Jennings scored early before Kyreece Lisbie equalised in the 87th minute. They followed up by thumping Shrewsbury 4-0; Taylan Harris and Josh Davison netted inside 22 minutes, Omari Patrick and veteran striker Kristian Dennis added late goals, and Shrewsbury’s William Boyle was sent off. After two games the Wirral side sit fourth, level on points with Gillingham but boasting a better goal difference.

Manager Andy Crosby steadied the ship last spring with six wins and five draws in 13 games before getting the job permanently. His new-look attack of Harris, Davison and Patrick offers pace and movement, while experienced midfielder Connor Jennings links play. At the back, striker-turned-centre-half Tom Parkes anchors a defence that conceded just once in 180 minutes. With 7,620 fans watching the Shrewsbury rout, Prenton Park will be rocking again.

Final word

Ainsworth insists Gillingham will embrace being “horrible to play against”. That approach has delivered four points from six and an 11-game unbeaten league run stretching back to April. Saturday’s game will test their mettle against a Tranmere side full of confidence. Can the Gills’ organised defence and towering front men spoil the party on Merseyside, or will Crosby’s high-flying Rovers expose a team still finding its attacking rhythm?

German Gills Prediction - Tranmere Rovers 1 - 1 Gillingham

Rhys - German Gills