Gillingham boss Peter Taylor is putting his faith in youth this season.

In a new-look squad, Taylor is hoping his young players can improve on a hit-and-miss 2013/14 League 1 campaign.

The oldest of Taylor’s eight outfield summer signings is 27 – and five are 21 and under.

Taylor knows the dangers but has belief in his youngsters.

He said: “You can be successful (with a young team). Some of our players might be 19, 20 or 21 but they walk around the place as if they are 25. It is about what is in that player.

“I am happy with the squad and we have given ourselves a chance. We have prepared well but have a tough first match.

“MK Dons are strong but that’s what the league is all about and we hope to enjoy it.

“Maybe we are young and it is about how the young players react and how they play because young players at times won’t make the right
decisions.

“Hopefully, they do and if they don’t, then they will learn from the mistakes because that’s how they become good players.

“Just as long as the bad decisions don’t cost us too much.”

Gills finished 17th last season and remain unfancied by the bookmakers, many making them among the favourites for the drop.

Taylor himself is remaining cautious when assessing his team’s chances.

He said: “I am realistic. I would love to be pleasantly surprised if we smashed the league, go and do great but I still look at it that we are building a team, with a good age and good ability.

“I want us to be more consistent. We couldn’t have been any more inconsistent than we were last season."

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