Gillingham boss Neil Harris admits it’s down to him to get more out of his players.

The Gills manager doesn’t believe there’s much wrong with their tactics or implementing different systems, but knows his goalshy team need to give more as he can’t shuffle his pack until the January transfer window opens.

“If you’re losing three or fours every week then you’ve got the wrong system or just got the wrong players,” explained the Gills boss.

“If you’re in every game and are better than the opponent or as good as the opponent - and good sides as well - for 45, 60, 75 or 80 minutes then you’re not far away.

“I can rattle on about not being far away and that we’re not a bad team - everyone can see how we’ve improved - but we’ve not scored enough goals. We’ve not scored enough goals to be comfortable in mid-table.

“The group is what I’ve got until January so it’s down to me as the coach and the manager to get more out of the players, as much out of the players as I can.”

Gills played 4-4-2 at Doncaster, having lined up with a 4-3-2-1 formation at leaders Leyton Orient in their previous game.

It’s not a case of Harris searching to find a winning formula - he wants to get as many attacking players on the pitch as possible - but rather the Gills boss picking the side that he thinks is best suited to win each game.

He wants to see more from his centre-forwards, regardless of how they set up.

“System again was absolutely fine, the same as the other night, there were no issues whatsoever,” he said after the Doncaster reverse.

“When you play with two centre-forwards, as a team - yes, you have to get your defensive shape right - you are only as good as your centre-forwards, ultimately.

“When you play 4-4-2 or 3-5-2, you’re only as good as your centre-forwards. If they take care of the ball and keep the ball for you then you can get up the pitch. If they make things happen and get into certain areas then you can get an opportunity for set-plays. If you put the ball in the box it’s down to your centre-forwards to score goals.

“At the moment the centre-forwards haven’t scored enough goals but have we created enough chances? I’m not sure.

“The other night we went with only three attacking players, I’ve gone back to four today, and I believe it’s the best way moving forward for us to try and create chances and score goals, by having more attacking players on the pitch.

“Shapes and systems we’re only adjusting slight elements, we did it against Stevenage, Leyton Orient and again today. I’m not asking too much of the players, they fully understand it.”

Asked how long his players have got to improve, Harris replied: “Honestly. January. I can’t sign anyone until January.”

Gillingham break from league action with contrasting back-to-back cup matches.

They travel to National League North AFC Fylde in the FA Cup First Round on Saturday before visiting Premier League Brentford on Tuesday night in the EFL Cup.

“I love the FA Cup, it’s a great competition and we’ll be trying to win a game because it’s a competition we want to do well in,” said Harris.

“We want some momentum to build again on the back of two defeats in four days. We’ll be strong, I want to win the game.

“The fixture list comes out the way it does, we’ve got Fylde and Brentford, two completely different tests but two challenges that we’ll embrace.

“If we won 4-0 (at Doncaster) I’d [still] be wanting to win the game next week. I’ll pick a team that I think will go and respect the competition accordingly. It’s a fixture I certainly want to win.”

Gillingham, meanwhile, are out of the EFL Trophy.

A win for Charlton on Wednesday night against Brighton's under-21s sends the Addicks through from the group stage along with Colchester United. Gills finished third in a four-team group stage.