Justin Edinburgh’s men were booed off last weekend and some fans were calling for the Gillingham manager’s head.

His team had lost to bottom side Oldham despite taking an early lead at Priestfield.

Edinburgh isn’t taking the criticism personally, though, and is adamant results and form will improve.

He said: “We are still not in a horrendous position. As much as people want to be negative, as a manager I will remain positive.

“You have to be realistic of Gillingham and what we are as a club.

“A lot of clubs who have come up and gone down have got big resources, a lot of clubs have bigger resources.

“It doesn’t stop us having a desire and a want and a will to try and do better than what we are really capable of.

“There are pressures and demands but that is the way we work. I don’t take it personally.

“This time last year nothing could go wrong. At this moment things aren’t going quite right.

“People ask me if I’m feeling pressure. No, I’m not. There is my own pressure that I put on myself and demands of what I want to achieve. I want results.”

Last season’s start to the campaign has raised expectations and the minimum target this term has been to better that ninth-placed finish.

Nobody shied away from talking up promotion chances pre-season but, so far, things haven’t clicked – leading many to make their own conclusions about Edinburgh’s reign.

He said: “There is going to be a split opinion. People are going to say ‘it’s not good enough, he’s got to go’ and people will say ‘look at what he’s done since he’s been here’.

“We had the highest finish in the Football League in 11 years last season. It can’t be that bad.

“If people are saying it’s about the last six months then can’t I say it’s about the last 12 months?

“We’ve drawn a line under last season. This season we have four wins, three draws and five defeats. Do I ask for patience? I’m not going to do that. I want the crowd to be supportive and I think they are.

“I fully understand the reaction on Saturday. We are playing Oldham, bottom of the league, and we are 1-0 up. We concede late again, but players are short of confidence and confidence plays a huge part in football.

“I don’t care what anyone says, that they are paid this and that, it is natural. You defend what you have. Never did I say let’s drop deep and let’s not press. The mind does things to people.

“At 1-0 you are thinking ‘we can win here, we can get a clean sheet’, but it’s a difficult position.

“I have said to the players, we are the only people that can affect that. The fans will play their part but we have to make them be positive and get behind us, we are the ones who have to turn it around. Responsibility lies with me.

“I have no doubt that I will put it right. Football is about opinions and the only way I can affect that is by getting results.”

Edinburgh’s managerial career has been on the up since starting at Billericay as a player-manager, but it’s an occupation that is never short of challenges.

“I have had some tough times at every club,” he said. “My first year at Billericay was tough.

“At Newport we lost our first four games, but by December we were in the top two and it was why I was approached to come to Gillingham.

“The only teams that will have a lot of success are the teams who have continuity.

“I have the full backing of the chairman here. I have had times like this before.

“I continue to believe in the players. If we can get that continuity and consistency in selection, without the upheaval and the major disruption we are getting (from injuries), we will be fine.”