Gillingham manager Peter Taylor believes nerves are bringing out the worst in the team's players.

Poor first half performances against Carlisle and Brackley Town, in the FA Cup, left many fans to boo the team off.

Taylor said: "If we haven’t played very well in the first half for the last two home matches it hasn’t been a lack of effort. Maybe they have been nervy and haven’t done everything we should have done, but in the second half of the last two games we have been a lot better.

“The first half against Carlisle wasn’t good enough and we admit that, but the second half was outstanding and the boys really showed what they could do.

“Against Brackley, everything was going against us and a lot of it was deserved because we weren’t performing as well as we could but again effort wise nobody could fault us.

“There hasn’t been a lack of effort or ability, maybe some nerves and it just didn’t go our way. What we have identified is that we feel, maybe, we need a few more options when we do play at home."

Taylor has added new faces to the squad this weekend as the Gills take on Sheffield United.

"We’ve been working on some forward running and forward movement and I’ve been very pleased with the sessions that have gone on," said the Gills boss.

“What you hope is that the players take it on board in to matches."