Martin Allen believes it is up to him and his players to win the backing of the fans.

The Gills head into the game against Bradford on Saturday without a win from their opening nine games in all competitions.

“It is difficult for the supporters,” said Gills boss Allen.

“I can understand the fans being wary, cautious and questioning and they have every right to, they pay their money.

“It’s their club and they want results, that’s the bottom line. I think all supporters recognise that the players are putting in a real shift, they are hard-working and conscientious.

“We have lost three games in the last five minutes, which is disappointing and the supporters recognise that we are not far away.

“The supporters would recognise that when we went to Coventry we sat back and defended deep, to play on the counter-attack. I suppose not everybody would like that but I do my job and watched them the week before and they were fantastic.

“If you push high up the field, they will pass and cut their way through the team. They have got quality players.”