Peter Taylor spent the week up close and personal with his Gillingham squad and believes the signs are good.

The Gills boss took his players for a week’s training and bonding in Essex ahead of their first pre-season match on Friday at Folkestone - and he’s been picking up plenty of positive vibes.

Taylor said: “I am pleased with the spirit and the attitude of the players is a determined one. I can already tell, after just a few days, that the spirit is good and it seems to be a touch different. There is more belief around the place.

“You always want to have a good season and I have been honest to the players. I’ve told them that if we prepare right, do it right and have the right attitude, then hopefully we can have a good season. I don’t know any more than that, nobody does.

“The players are hungry and there are some young players that have signed that have still got a lot to prove.

“They have given me the feeling they are desperate to do well, desperate to improve and that’s what I like about them.”

Gillingham had eight new signings during their week away – many of whom are still in their early 20s. It’s given Taylor’s squad a fresh new look.

He said: “I am pleased with what we have got but it will be a big, big test for us in League 1. We have to be ready from the word go and we are desperate to have a good start – just like 23 other teams in our division.”