Logan Dobbs: Gillingham's Surprise Package of the Season

Gareth Ainsworth says he did not see this coming. Gillingham’s manager has labelled teenage defender Logan Dobbs his “surprise package” of the season after the 19-year-old’s breakthrough continued with a landmark moment at the weekend.

Dobbs has started every game of the campaign and on Saturday he stepped into the spotlight, rising to head home his first senior goal in a 2-0 victory over Tranmere. For a player who only got his chance because of circumstance, it felt like a turning point.

The opportunity arrived abruptly. Liam Gordon’s injury in the opening game and Sam Gale’s move to Barnsley ripped up Ainsworth’s early defensive plans. The gap in the team was obvious. Dobbs walked through it.

“With the loss of Liam in the first game and Sam Gale's move to Barnsley, all of a sudden the door opened and Logan's been sensational,” Ainsworth told BBC Radio Kent, still sounding slightly taken aback by the speed of the youngster’s rise.

The Gillingham boss did not hide his surprise at just how quickly Dobbs has adapted.

“Logan Dobbs has been a surprise package for me this year,” he said. “And I think he will understand when I say I didn't know he was capable of – he's done really well to become one of the consistent members of the squad here.”

Consistency is the word that keeps coming back around Dobbs. Not just a kid filling in for a few weeks, but a regular. Ainsworth now leans on him.

The connection with the stands is growing just as fast. As Dobbs celebrated his header against Tranmere, the chant rolled down from the terraces: one of our own.

“Songs were sung from the stands saying [Dobbs] is one of our own, so when he got his first goal in front of the fans then that's what dreams are made of,” Ainsworth said, summing up the moment as much for the supporters as for the player.

Gillingham sit 11th in League Two, looking upwards rather than over their shoulders. Next up is a serious examination: second-placed Bristol Rovers visit on Saturday.

Dobbs has forced his way into the team. Now comes the bigger question – can he help drive Gillingham into the promotion race?