Gareth Ainsworth says Shrewsbury Town are almost unrecognisable from his time in charge, but one familiar threat remains up front.
Town striker John Marquis enjoyed a half-season loan spell with the Gills in the 2014/15 season, scoring eight goals in 21 appearances, with many fans hoping back then that they could have signed him permanently.
Marquis has only managed two goals this term, and Shrewsbury boss Michael Appleton could have extra attacking options this weekend with George Lloyd set to be available following injury.
Ainsworth was unable to pull Shrewsbury off the bottom of the League 1 table during his 22-match spell in charge there, but an opening-game win over Birmingham City was one of the highlights of his brief time at the club.
“I said (back then) that there’s no way we should be where we are in the table,” he said. “Unfortunately, there was a lot of damage done before we came in. But it’s football.
“They’re really firing now in League Two. They started slowly, but changed style slightly and picked up a little bit.
“I think we’ve got to respect them in a big way because, one, it’s my former club and I know how big the club is. The chairman’s a great guy and the staff around.
“And two, it’s a professional football team in League Two. We don’t disrespect anyone. You’ve got to turn up on the day.
“I thought last week… We turned up, of course. I’m never going to question the boys’ commitment. We just looked a bit off it. I’ve addressed that this week. So, hopefully, we can be more on it this weekend.”
Striker Marquis stayed with Millwall after his loan spell with the Gills, before a permanent move to Doncaster a year later. Over three years he averaged almost one goal every two games.
Portsmouth and Lincoln paid transfer fees for his services and he had a stint at Bristol Rovers before ending up at Shrewsbury Town last summer.
Ainsworth made him captain when he took over as Shrews boss in November last year.
That first game together was a 3-2 win over Birmingham City, with Marquis among the goals. He also scored twice in the cross-border derby against Wrexham. Two big results for Ainsworth in what was a tough gig.
“I had a good affinity with John,” said the Gills manager. “Great player. Good leader and captain. Really respected him and what he’s done.
“They’ve changed up quite a bit. I think John’s the only, maybe the only survivor from my day in the team at the moment. That’s a huge change of personnel.
“John’s still got it. I made him captain because I thought he led the line really well. His attitude was good. He was very experienced.
“John’s definitely going to be a threat if he plays up there. He scored some big goals.
“He was in real good form for me. I think he scored about eight or nine goals in 17 or 18 games or something like that. He was really, really in good form for me.”
Shrewsbury have started to improve after a poor start following relegation, with three home wins on the spin, without conceding.
Speaking about his return to Croud Meadow this weekend, Ainsworth said: “I’m loving Gillingham now and everyone in Shrewsbury will know that I’ll give 100% for any badges on my chest, and Gillingham’s on there now.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a good day. I know the place. There’s some really good people who work at that place, and it’d be nice to see them. But we’re going for the points. We want to get back to winning ways.”
