Gillingham midfielder Stuart O’Keefe believes they are becoming a team that others in League 1 won’t want to face.

The Gills came away from Ipswich with a point - and had enough chances to win it.

It’s five unbeaten for the team now, a run that includes victory over Sunderland and a defeat of Doncaster in the FA Cup.

O’Keefe said: “When there is a new manager in charge, like there was this season, and a high turnover in players, sometimes it takes a while to find your feet.

“The boys need to understand the management and they need to understand us. I think we are trying to be a bit more settled now.

• Report: Ipswich 0 Gills 0

“We know what we are, we know what we are good at and we are becoming a real hard team to play against. I think we can beat anyone in this league.

“It has definitely picked up lately and it gives us confidence going into the second half of the season. We can outscore and beat anyone.”

The Gills are currently picking up points away from home while winning their games at Priestfield - a recipe for success.

O’Keefe knows they need to maintain it.

“Consistency is a big thing to have in this league,” said the former Cardiff City man.

“If we can win our home games I don’t think we will be too far off it.

“We need to build on our consistency. I think that is going to be key for us this season if we want to achieve anything.”

The midfielder was pleased with the point at Ipswich and is now hoping for a win over Rochdale.

He said: “If we can build on that, recover right and beat Rochdale, then that’s an excellent point for us on Boxing day.

“The overall feeling in the dressing room was of disappointment. We started the game exceptionally well, we had numerous opportunities where maybe we could have gone one or two up.

“It didn’t really fall for us in the second half but it’s a point at Ipswich and not many teams would dominate and do what we did.”

O’Keefe was up against one of his former teams and produced another committed display to help keep the star-studded hosts at bay.

He said: “The locals might be a bit disappointed with a nil nil but it is what it is.

“I like to put myself about, hustle and bustle, and when you go to places like Ipswich you have to, you can’t afford to sit off them. They have good players that can hurt you.

“We knew it would be an absolute graft and everyone had to put everything into it.”

It will be the same again on Sunday against Rochdale.

He said: “At this level we know that every game is going to require the same effort and the same energy, same professionalism and preparation.

“There are so many results that swing either way. We need to do it right, not take anything for granted and put the same effort in for Sunday. If we do I am sure we will get the three points and we can build on that.”