Transfer-listed player has been instrumental in Gillingham's fast League Two start: View | OneFootball

Transfer-listed George Lapslie was tipped to leave the club in the summer, but has been a vital player in the club's fast start to the season.

Four games into the new season, Gillingham sit proudly at the top of the League Two table and one of the players many expected to depart the club before the start of the campaign has proved to be a crucial factor in the club’s fast start.

George Lapslie has never really hit the sort of form we expected from him when he arrived at the club from Mansfield Town last January. Expectations of the midfielder were high among the fanbase, but in a team that struggled to create and score goals, Lapslie was unable to make the sort of impression expected of him and he drifted out of the side.

It meant that, as the club headed into the summer and new manager Mark Bonner arrived at the club, Lapslie was placed on the transfer list.

It looked like the 26-year-old’s time at Priestfield could be coming to an end, but a solid pre-season, and a host of injuries to key attacking players, meant that Gillingham needed Lapslie, and his performances this season have been instrumental in Gillingham’s early-season form.

Lapslie has been crucial in Gillingham’s fast start

After pre-season left Bonner with an injury-hit squad, Bonner turned to Lapslie and the midfielder has been a crucial figure.

Lapslie has arguably played his best football in a Gills shirt in his three performances so far this season. His goal at Morecambe earned Gillingham three points on the road on August 17, and he came off the bench to provide industry and energy as the Gills held out for a goalless draw at Fleetwood the following weekend.

And, this past weekend at Priestfield, Lapslie was one of the best players on the pitch as Gillingham picked up a 1-0 home win over fellow promotion contenders Chesterfield at Priestfield. The fans recognised the midfielder’s contribution by giving him a standing ovation when he was withdrawn with seven minutes to go.

Both Lapslie and striker/centre-half Oli Hawkins were on the transfer list heading into the summer, and both have proved to be essential members of the Gillingham squad as the season got underway.

As a result, both men remained on the Gills roster through the early weeks of the season. And with the summer transfer window now closed, it looks like both Lapslie and Hawkins will be integral members of the Gillingham squad heading through the first half of the season.

Lapslie is a shining example of what Mark Bonner needs in 2024/25

When the club’s injuries start to clear up, it’s possible that Lapslie may start to slide down the pecking order, with the likes of Bradley Dack and Jonny Williams also operating in similar advanced midfield roles to the former Mansfield man.

But Lapslie’s willingness to roll up his sleeves and do a job for the team epitomises the squad-first mindset Bonner is keen to foster in his players this season.

With a strong squad and good depth in a number of positions, it means good players are going to miss out on playing time at different points during the season. The key to Gillingham's success will be making sure the players all buy into that squad-first approach, knowing they will all have crucial roles to play as the season pans out.

Lapslie has already started to play his part and it may well have ensured he remains part of the Gills squad for the remainder of the season.