Manager Peter Taylor believes that results on the pitch have helped win over the Priestfield sceptics.

The Gills boss admitted finding it tough when he first took over from Martin Allen in October.

But after guiding the Gills up to mid-table in League 1, there are less doubters among the supporters.

He said: “I felt there were a lot of people out there thinking I wasn’t going to do well.
“I kept hearing comments about how I struggled at Wycombe but I don’t know where that came from. I got Wycombe their first automatic promotion in their history so I can’t work that out.

“It wasn’t a great feeling around at the time when I first arrived. That’s loyalty to Martin from supporters and I appreciate that.

“I felt as though, ‘blimey, this is going to be much more difficult than I ever thought it would be’ and it has been.”

Taylor took over a team sitting 16th in League 1, with just two wins from their first 11 games.

Since then, he has helped the Gills to nine victories from 20 games in charge.

“We haven’t cracked it yet but we’re certainly work in progress,” said Taylor, who guided Gillingham to play-off glory in 2000 – his only previous season in charge of the club.

“If we get good results you are always going to have a chance to win the fans over. We are not there yet but I know we are making progress.”