5 ways Gareth Ainsworth can boost Gillingham FC's League Two charge in the final days of the transfer window | OneFootball

Gillingham are looking to build on their strong start with a key signing late in the transfer window, but where should they look to strengthen?

Gillingham are currently flying under Gareth Ainsworth, with the Gills boss still undefeated since taking over the club in the closing weeks of the 2024-25 season.

The team’s unbeaten streak now stands at 16 games, and optimism around the club is high, especially given the fact that the team’s strong start to the campaign has happened despite Ainsworth having to field a patched-up team following injuries to key men Conor Masterson, Shad Ogie and Seb Palmer-Houlden.

While Ainsworth is keen to continue the momentum at ME7, he’s also keen to add another new face before the end of the transfer window. And, with the hours counting down until the window closes, fans have been debating which area of the Kent club’s squad would be best served with a new addition.

There are several potential directions Ainsworth could go, with a number of potential areas that could be strengthened with a key new addition.

A backup goalkeeper to replace Jake Turner

Gillingham has the evergreen 41-year-old stopper Glenn Morris between the sticks as the first-choice goalkeeper, and many fans feel that, despite “The Cat’s” impressive performances so far, the team needs a higher-grade deputy, and potentially someone who could eventually go on to replace him.

The current backup keeper at Priestfield is Jake Turner (pictured), who enjoyed a spell as the first-choice stopper last season. But his patchy performances and erratic kicking eventually saw him replaced by Morris, and he hasn’t really looked like challenging for the starting role since.

A new face to provide stronger cover could be a consideration for Ainsworth, but that sort of signing would be more of a squad-strengthening move, rather than one that makes a real impact on the starting XI.

With Morris currently one of the best keepers in League Two, a new backup would be a “nice to have” signing, rather than an essential addition at this stage of the season.

Gillingham could benefit from additional cover at full-back

Gillingham are blessed with a few players who have the ability to play several positions. Robbie McKenzie has looked like one of the top centre-backs in the league since swapping his usual midfield role to deputise for the injured Masterson and Ogie, while young defender Sam Gale is versatile enough to offer options at centre back or full-back.

But one area where the Gills are lacking is in natural full-back cover. The aforementioned Gale can slot into that position, as could the team’s Swiss army knife, McKenzie. They also appear to have uncovered a gem in pacy left back Lenni Cirino. But another right back wouldn’t go amiss.

The current incumbent Remeao Hutton’s performances have been a little hot and cold since his arrival at the club, and the presence of a legitimate challenger for his spot on the right side of the Gills’ defence would certainly strengthen Ainsworth’s options, and may even free up Hutton to move further upfield.

Creativity in midfield to support Bradley Dack and Jonny Williams

On paper, Gillingham should have this covered. In Bradley Dack and Jonny Williams, the club has two names who certainly have the ability to unlock defences. But another option – perhaps one that sits a little deeper – would be one that could offer some added value to the Gills’ squad.

The way Ainsworth’s side have been set up to play this season has asked a lot of the men selected in midfield, and work-rate, a bottomless gas tank and a willingness to put their foot in has been at the top of the must-have qualities list.

But, while industry hasn’t been lacking, a little guile from midfield perhaps has, and a player who can slice open a defence with a well-timed through ball could be a difference-maker for Ainsworth’s squad.

All of the above areas are viable options for Ainsworth to strengthen with a new signing before the end of the transfer window, but there are two crucial options that stand out as game-changing additions for the Gills…

A genuine goal-poacher has to be Gillingham's focus

If you asked anyone who knew anything about Gillingham FC over the last few years which area of the pitch needed the biggest upgrade, they’d all give you the same answer. Gillingham have struggled to score goals, and a striker who could be relied on for 15-20 goals a season would be priceless for a club who, for all their defensive qualities, have struggled to find the net consistently over the last few years.

The Gills’ 4-1 win over Chesterfield bucked that trend, but two of those goals came from penalties, and although the team has been playing well collectively, the addition of an out-and-out goalscorer could transform the club from a rough, tough contender to a legitimate promotion challenger.

Pace in attack, ideally out wide, would deliver big Gillingham impact

Perhaps the one area that would deliver the biggest impact to the squad overall would be the addition of raw, burning pace in forward areas.

A legitimate speedster out wide, who can offer a real threat in behind defences, could transform the way Gillingham attack teams this season.

With pace on both wings, with a new arrival down the left, and the returning Seb Palmer-Houlden on the right, would force defences to play deeper, which in turn would open up more space for the likes of Dack to create from midfield.

And with pace to burn out wide, the potential for producing deliveries into the box for towering strikes Josh Andrews and Sam Vokes would become even more dangerous. Throw into the mix the ability to win territory and earn set pieces in the final third, and it all helps Ainsworth’s team deliver the high-octane, front-foot football he loves his teams to play.

For some fans, a return for Colombian former loanee Jorge Hurtado would be a dream signing, but more realistic is a move for a proven domestic player, with Ainsworth hinting that an approach may have already been made for his top transfer target.

With just a few days of the transfer window remaining, it remains to be seen if Ainsworth can get his man to take him into the autumn months with a strong-looking squad.