Gillingham could finally see Accrington Stanley hype now John Coleman has landed | OneFootball

Gillingham could finally see Accrington Stanley hype now John Coleman has landed

Gillingham will be hoping that the arrival of John Coleman as the club's new manager will see an upturn in form for a squad that has flattered to deceive so far this season, and one man, in particular, could enjoy a new lease of life under the new gaffer.

Gillingham winger Jack Nolan was one of a number of highly-touted summer signings at the Kent club, but so far this season the attacking newcomers have struggled to bed in, with inconsistent team selection and sub-par attacking play seeing the club drop into mid-table after a promising start to the campaign.

Gillingham's drop-off in form prompted the board to make a mid-season change, with manager Mark Bonner departing the club and Coleman arriving looking to not just steady the ship, but rediscover some long-lost attacking impetus at Priestfield.

Jack Nolan could benefit from Gills' managerial change

Nolan arrived at Priestfield from Accrington Stanley after a prolific season, but the burden of expectation on the Portsmouth-born winger, coupled with the change in scenery, has weighed heavily on the 23-year-old.

It has meant that Nolan has struggled to recapture last season's form in the blue of Gillingham, and he has admitted that his confidence has been "shot to pieces" in recent weeks.

The arrival of a familiar face who helped him to the best form of his career could be just the spark he needs to turn his form around.

John Coleman knows how to unlock Gills man's prolific potential

The reason for the huge expectation on Nolan is his form for Accrington Stanley last season. Under John Coleman's management, Nolan had an outstanding year, hitting 17 goals and claiming nine assists in League Two for Stanley.

Those impressive numbers helped earn Nolan a move to Priestfield, but so far he has struggled to replicate that form for the Kent club, who have struggled in general with their attacking play and goalscoring over the past few years.

Nolan's signing was intended to help solve Gillingham's goalscoring malaise, but so far he, along with the other attacking players in the Gills squad, has failed to hit form in the final third of the pitch.

Jack Nolan admits John Coleman's 'tough love' could be just what he needs to turn his form around

Speaking to the club's official website, Nolan opened up on his struggles at the Gills so far, and said that the arrival of Coleman and assistant Jimmy Bell could be just what he, and the team, needs as they look to spark a revival in the second half of the season.

“John and Jimmy got the best out of me. There was a lot of tough love and I won't shy away from that. That got me ticking, that worked," he admitted.

“I have no doubt that other players in the squad will be able to get going and get us firing on all cylinders."

If Coleman can pick Nolan up and get him and his teammates playing positively and without fear again, the former Accrington man could become a key player for Gillingham in the second half of the season.