Manager Martin Allen has total belief in his Gillingham players.

But the Gills boss admits that even the League 2 champions need help with their self belief.

Allen said: “We’re going into the unknown and there is a lot of expectancy. I need to make sure I help to take that away from them, so they believe in themselves that they can win games at this level. That will come.

“We all need to be told. The last thing they want to hear is getting their confidence knocked and dented.

“They will settle down and that self belief will come. If they play like they did on Saturday, the breaks will come their way and good things will come.”

He added: “There was a different kind of pressure last season. I am sure most of us football fans watched the Open golf championship a few weeks ago.

“It brought back special memories of our championship-winning team, when Lee Westwood was ahead by a couple of shots, going into the final stretch.

“We managed to keep going, right the way through to the end and win it.

“Our players showed tremendous resolve for the final round of our season, to stay on top and win that tournament.

“It wasn’t always fantastic, at times it was hard, attrition, difficult games, not often spectacular but like Mickelson, we had the strength of mind to come through and win.”