Gillingham goalkeeper Simon Royce believes improved team spirit on and off the pitch has been key to their good form.

Saturday’s 3-0 win over Grimsby was Gills’ third in a row and the goalkeeper knows how important team unity has been in getting those results.

“We’re more together,” he said. “I’m not casting dispersions on anybody, but I think there was a bit of a split in the camp at times.

“The gaffer has got in the people he wants and we are more of a team now, on and off the pitch.

“Anybody that comes down to the training ground will see that we’re all together. We all eat together and it’s good so it bodes well for the long season ahead.

“I think that’s one of the most important things. It’s like a family, really. If you get a split in the family then you don’t get on. A football club should be like a family because you spend so much time together.

“It’s one of the main things the gaffer is trying to drill into us this year. If you’re not all together then it will show.”

After three straight wins Royce sees little for the club to fear in League 2.

He said: “We’ve beaten one of the favourites, Darlington, and Grimsby, who are an excellent side, have been turned over 3-0 without us playing that well.

“Without being too over- confident, because we have to keep working hard, I can’t see many teams in this division that are going to turn us over.”

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