Martin Allen has admitted the quality of League 1 has been an eye-opener.

The Gills boss has previously battled at the top of the division as manager of Brentford over two seasons (2004-2006).

But he believes the division has got a lot tougher in a short space of time.

“The transition from Division 2 to Division 1 has been bigger than what I anticipated and what I expected,” said the Gills boss, who is seeking his first win of the season against Bradford on Saturday.

“It is much stronger and much quicker, technically much better from when I was managing in the division just a few years ago. There are significant changes but we also have players in here and we have shown in enough games that we have given a good account of ourselves.”

He added: “After the Coventry game (where Gills lost 2-1 last Sunday), the opposition said how well we have played and that we are one of the best teams they’ve played, how organised and well set up we were tactically, how sharp we looked.

“I have heard that from half a dozen people that were at the game on Sunday.

“We have to turn it that little bit further and get that winning mentality. We need to turn that corner and turn it into winning performances.”