Manager Neil Harris takes his share of responsibility for Gillingham’s poor start to the season.

The Gills are 17 games into their League 2 campaign and sit third from bottom, with two wins and just six goals scored. Just two points separate them from the foot of the table. They lost 2-0 at home to Northampton on Saturday.

• Harris: 'It's just not good enough'

Gillingham’s home defeat to Northampton Town came days after a memorable cup win over Brentford. The players were unable to use that result as a catalyst as any good opportunities created on Saturday were wasted and they were sloppy in defence.

“I take responsibility as well, I am the manager,” said Harris. “I am at the forefront of the football club, question tactics and formation and personnel then yes, that’s me, but once the players are on the pitch they have to find a way.

“I have to keep doing what I feel is right with the team selection, and formations, but I need my players to play as well, I need my players to step up, I need them to produce.

“I can’t keep putting attacking players on the pitch and we don’t create and score, I have not got a magic wand, all I can do is take them on the training pitch, show them clips, work with them, try and make us better and we get on with it and hope that it clicks.”

Tuesday’s win at Brentford was a moment for the fans to saviour but it was back to reality at Priestfield. Giving the ball away in defence for Northampton’s opener was poor but it’s the top end of the pitch that has hamstrung the team this season.

Six goals is a sorry statistic. The next worse in the division is Rochdale, who have more than doubled that figure with 13 from 18.

Gills were booed off on Saturday but throughout the game those fans backed their team, albeit with a bit of ‘gallows honour’ from the stands with supporters cheering shots of any kind.

“I don’t take it for granted one little bit,” Harris said. “I was as disappointed with the results and league position as much as anybody, I am just a custodian, they have to come and support.

“After the game the other night at Brentford I was pleased for the fans because they have had a tough period, it is a hell of a tough period for the football club but it is my job at the moment to make sure I get the players right on pitch, everything else off the pitch is nothing to do with me.

“On the pitch I have to try and make my players perform. When I am in seven to seven all week trying to get the players right, that is my job. We have to find a way of winning games and that starts Tuesday in a winnable game for us.”

Gillingham host National League North AFC Fylde in a first round FA Cup replay at Priestfield on Tuesday (7.45pm)