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Christian Maghoma was part of an inexperienced Gillingham defence on Saturday and he’s called for patience as the new group settles.
The average age of the back four was just shy of 22 and weekend winners Hull City managed to capitalise on what Gills boss Steve Evans described as sloppy mistakes .
Mistakes will be made - Evans accepts that with a young and inexperienced group - but Maghoma insists they will learn and they will improve.
He said: “We are obviously disappointed with the result, we want to go out every game and win, it is a new group, it is going to take time for us all to gel together.
“I think the fans and everyone needs to stick with us and be patient.
“We are a positive group and we are not going to be too down on it, we aren’t all doom and gloom, it’s a quick turnaround and we’ll clear our heads, get back to training and try and bounce back with a win against Coventry City on Tuesday (in the Carabao Cup).
“Experience comes with experiencing so the more we are out there playing the more experience we will get and the better we will be at those situations.
“It is a learning curve but we will get there, 100%.
“I remember when I was 18-19, a lot of managers said I didn’t have the experience, they wouldn’t put me in, but it shows our manager and chairman and assistant have trust in us all out there.”
Left-back Connor Ogilvie, 24, with 141 league appearances to his name was by far the most experienced of the back four.
It was only a 19th league start for right-back Robbie McKenzie, his past experience coming with weekend opponents Hull City.
Arsenal loanee Zech Medley was making his first Football League appearance, as was fellow centre-half Maghoma, having played the last two seasons in senior football for Polish side Arka Gdynia.
He said: “In Poland I came up against some international strikers, different styles, it was good to come and test myself and see where I am at dealing with strikers like that, it was a learning curve. Josh Magennis (who scored Hull’s second) came out on top but I’ll give that to him. Next time I play him I will do better.”
With Evans having to rebuild the Gills team, it will take time to settle into partnerships across the group, like it did last season.
“Partnerships will strengthen and we will get better,” said the former Spurs youngster.
“The more we play the more we will have better partnerships and it goes throughout the pitch. There is a lot to come from this team, we have a lot of good quality in there, we work hard as well and we will look to bounce back.
“The turnaround of games is quick, there’s no time to beat yourself up, you just bounce back and kick on from the defeat and we’ll try and beat Coventry on Tuesday and then Wigan on Saturday.”
Asked about the lack of fans, he said: “It is harder for me. I know some players prefer to play in empty stadiums.
“I know for me I do get an extra buzz and adrenaline rush when you do play infront of fans. I love coming out an hearing them. I have heard the fans at Gillingham, especially the Rainham End, and I am definitely looking forward to playing infront of them.”
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