Recent criticism hasn’t taken any gloss off being a manager, insists Gills boss Justin Edinburgh.

The FA Cup, first round defeat to Brackley left Edinburgh facing a backlash from some frustrated fans but he refused to get downbeat by what has been said.

He has since led Gills to three wins from their last four games in League 1 to revive hopes the club can better last season’s ninth-place finish and push for the top six.

Edinburgh said: “One minute you are great, the next you are not.

“There were people here when I took the job who didn’t want me here, they didn’t even know me. You are not always going to please everyone.

“It’s a great job to have. I love being a manager. I wouldn’t swap it but it isn’t that easy, believe me.

“The only pressure I put on is my own. Nobody else drives me on apart from me.

“I don’t read anything, whether it’s good or bad, because it’s not going to affect me. Of course, people tell me about things but the only time I hear it myself is when I set foot inside the stadium, home and away.

“Do I agree with the criticism? I get some of it because it is the way it is.

“Everyone expects results but I don’t see what more they think Gillingham could be doing.”

Gills had a flying start last season but tailed off towards the end.

Bettering that ninth-place finish would continue the Gills’ momentum but Edinburgh believes fans have to be realistic.

He said: “Because I have over-achieved, I have created more pressure for myself, which I get.

“I like that because I don’t want players coming here thinking, ‘it’s OK, it doesn’t matter whether we win lose or draw’ or they think we want to be mid-table.

“But where do people think Gillingham should be? I don’t know.

“Me, as a manager, I got this club the highest finish it has had for over 10 years. Why would you want to replace that manager?

“Ninety-nine times out of 100 the teams with the biggest budgets win the leagues."