Striker Josh Parker believes they can beat anyone in League 1 if they start games properly.

That’s what they have been failing to do of late.

Speaking after the 2-1 loss at Barnsley, Gills’ goalscorer said: “We were very disappointed, we thought we could do something and cause an upset.

“Since the manager has been in charge, when we don’t start the first 45 minutes right, we struggle and we give ourselves a mountain to climb more often than not.

“We can always gauge how we are going to play by the tempo that we first start at. When the gaffer first came in, we were all over teams like a rash form the first five minutes, on a run that was probably above what people expected.

“We started this season in that fashion but for some reason the last three games we have slipped off the pedal. It is something we need to put our heads together and think about.”

Parker believes the Gills have enough to make any team in League 1 feel the pressure early on.

He said: “When you know a team is going to have loads of possession, with Championship quality players, the easiest thing to do is kick it in behind and make them run towards their own goal, then squeeze up.

“We have four of the quickest players in the league and it doesn’t take any thought process.

“We know we have four strong boys upfront, quick boys, kick the ball in behind, let them kick it out for a throw and get up the pitch. When they have got the ball just sit behind and counter attack, which is what we did last season. When we got into the final third we would cross the ball and score.”

The Gills failed to do that on Saturday and they conceded their first after Keiffer Moore’s long-range shot crept in past Tomas Holy.

Parker said: “The first goal was ludicrous, it should never have gone in and Tomas, who is harsh on himself, knows it should never have been a goal.

“The penalty (that Barnsley converted for 2-0) was debatable and we should have had one second half, it was one of the clearest handballs you will ever see.”

Tom Eaves was flagged for offside after sticking in Brandon Hanlan’s goalbound shot just before the break.

“100% it was going in,” said Parker.

“As a striker, you want to score, but I think Eavesy might look back at it and think ‘maybe I should have left it’.

“It will be a learning curve for Eavesy, maybe to be a little less selfish, but at the end of the day he wants to score, it’s his job, you can’t be too angry at him.”