crodonilson
He/Him
by Luke Cawdell
Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler believes all the pressure will be on Brighton when the two clubs meet in the Carling Cup first round.
The Gills will be only the second team to visit Brighton’s new Amex Stadium for a competitive fixture when they make the trip to East Sussex tomorrow (Tuesday).
Brighton, managed by Gus Poyet, are beginning life in the Championship this season after comfortably winning League 1 last year so the Gills will be massive underdogs.
"The pressure is all on them, make no mistake, their board and supporters will demand victory." said Hessenthaler (pictured). "They are in the Championship now, they've spent big money and I am looking forward to the game against one of the giants of the competition at this stage.
"We won on Saturday and we want to win on Tuesday now to build some momentum. I want to keep it going.
"It’s a big game for us and in front of a massive crowd it will be great for our boys. It’s a new stadium, we’ve had them watched and we know what they are all about."
Hessenthaler picked up a few pointers from watching the Gills’ youth team take on Brighton’s youngsters on Saturday morning.
He said: "Their Brighton kids play exactly the same way, with free-flowing football.
"It should be an entertaining game because they are a footballing team and we have footballing players. We get the ball down and play, we have the same ethos as Brighton, to play the right way."
The Gills are likely to be without Dennis Oli again as he has been ordered to rest by the club’s medical staff after picking up a flu virus.
"He looked terrible when he came in last week," said the Gills boss.
"The kid is having no luck. Last year he played only three games and then got injured. I am gutted for him."
Hessenthaler must also decide whether to appeal the red card handed out to Luke Rooney on Saturday. The youngster will be out for three matches at present but an unsuccessful appeal could see that increased.
"If we appeal then there is a delay on it and he may well be available," said the Gills boss. "We will have a look at it."
Meanwhile the likes of Matt Fish and Curtis Weston will be vying for a starting role after missing the cut at the weekend.
"We could rotate things," Hessenthaler said. "That’s the position we are in, especially in midfield areas and full-back. We have got an opportunity to do that but I am not one for doing it too often. We need some continuity.
"We had a fantastic win on Saturday but we could change personnel in a few areas."
Danny Jackman is a doubt after missing Monday's training through illness.
Brighton, meanwhile, are hoping to make ammends for last year's first round exit to Northampton Town.
Albion boss Poyet said: "This season the cups could be great for us. We will put a strong team out. The fans can expect just two or three changes.
"It's a great game for them (Gillingham) so they have nothing to worry about."
Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler believes all the pressure will be on Brighton when the two clubs meet in the Carling Cup first round.
The Gills will be only the second team to visit Brighton’s new Amex Stadium for a competitive fixture when they make the trip to East Sussex tomorrow (Tuesday).
Brighton, managed by Gus Poyet, are beginning life in the Championship this season after comfortably winning League 1 last year so the Gills will be massive underdogs.
"The pressure is all on them, make no mistake, their board and supporters will demand victory." said Hessenthaler (pictured). "They are in the Championship now, they've spent big money and I am looking forward to the game against one of the giants of the competition at this stage.
"We won on Saturday and we want to win on Tuesday now to build some momentum. I want to keep it going.
"It’s a big game for us and in front of a massive crowd it will be great for our boys. It’s a new stadium, we’ve had them watched and we know what they are all about."
Hessenthaler picked up a few pointers from watching the Gills’ youth team take on Brighton’s youngsters on Saturday morning.
He said: "Their Brighton kids play exactly the same way, with free-flowing football.
"It should be an entertaining game because they are a footballing team and we have footballing players. We get the ball down and play, we have the same ethos as Brighton, to play the right way."
The Gills are likely to be without Dennis Oli again as he has been ordered to rest by the club’s medical staff after picking up a flu virus.
"He looked terrible when he came in last week," said the Gills boss.
"The kid is having no luck. Last year he played only three games and then got injured. I am gutted for him."
Hessenthaler must also decide whether to appeal the red card handed out to Luke Rooney on Saturday. The youngster will be out for three matches at present but an unsuccessful appeal could see that increased.
"If we appeal then there is a delay on it and he may well be available," said the Gills boss. "We will have a look at it."
Meanwhile the likes of Matt Fish and Curtis Weston will be vying for a starting role after missing the cut at the weekend.
"We could rotate things," Hessenthaler said. "That’s the position we are in, especially in midfield areas and full-back. We have got an opportunity to do that but I am not one for doing it too often. We need some continuity.
"We had a fantastic win on Saturday but we could change personnel in a few areas."
Danny Jackman is a doubt after missing Monday's training through illness.
Brighton, meanwhile, are hoping to make ammends for last year's first round exit to Northampton Town.
Albion boss Poyet said: "This season the cups could be great for us. We will put a strong team out. The fans can expect just two or three changes.
"It's a great game for them (Gillingham) so they have nothing to worry about."