Head coach Stephen Clemence is determined to bring success to Gillingham this season.

A rocky holiday period ends with a New Year’s Day trip to Colchester United, a match that comes off the back of an improved display at home to Sutton United on Friday.

A run of three games without a goal and a Boxing Day defeat to Crawley Town led to questions over which way this season is heading and prompted calls for patience from the owners.

Clemence is sure to have January additions handed to him as the Gills look to improve in the second half of the season and the head coach is determined to bring success to the club this term.

“We have to keep trying to move forward,” said the coach, speaking after victory over Sutton.

“I really hope that we can challenge and be successful this season.

“We are in the second half of the season now and the challenge on the football side is to do better than we have done in the first half of the season. Let’s see where it takes us.

“I know the football club is in a very good place and what goes on behind the scenes here with the owners and all the staff is fantastic, there is a really good atmosphere here and the club is only on going to move forward I am sure.

“I am ambitious and I want to achieve quickly.”

Clemence knows the side need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to have any hope of promotion this season.

The Gills remain the lowest scorers in the division with 20 goals from 24 league games. They head into 2024 three points off the play-off places after the win over Sutton.

Clemence said: “It is great to finish the year and win in front of the home supporters. I’m pleased we could give them something to cheer about and I am hoping I can give them a lot more to cheer about in the coming weeks and months.

“We still need to be more clinical when we get into these opportunities in these last few games.

“We are still the lowest scorers in the division (after the win over Sutton) and you aren’t going to achieve success if you are the lowest scorers in the division, there is still plenary to improve on and we will keep working away at that.”