Defender Joe Martin isn’t paying too much attention to the League 1 table.

The Gillingham left-back appreciates the league position doesn’t look too good at present but also knows things can change quickly.

He said: “Two wins and we are back near the play-offs, it is so tight in this league.

“We are not that far off the bottom but we are more than capable of picking up two or three wins in a row.

“We have got a young squad so maybe it will be a bit up and down but two wins and you are right back in it and looking upwards again.”

Martin was in the side on Saturday as the Gills slipped to a 3-0 defeat against Scunthorpe.And he appreciated the supporters’ frustrations.

He said: “It was a disappointing day and there is no getting away from the fact that we didn’t perform.

“Some people might blame being down to 10 men, but I don’t think we did enough. We started okay first 10-15 minutes. After that we were flat and we didn’t perform.

“Quite rightly the fans weren’t happy and neither were the players or the management.

“We get paid to play football and when it’s not gone well, when you’re not winning, it affects your life. You can’t just go home and forget about it.”

Rochdale away won’t be any easier, however.

They were promoted last season and are currently sitting just outside the top 10 in League 1.

“The good thing about football is that you always have another game to change it,” said Martin.

“We played them the season before in League 2 and they were one of the tougher teams to play against.

“We drew at their place but it was a hard-earned point. It’s definitely not an easy place to go but when you have a loss like we did it is often good to go to a higher-placed team and really fight for the points.

“They have started well and they will be dangerous opponents.

“The next few games will be tough but as long as we put in the performances then I am sure the results will turn for us. If we keep working hard we will start picking up more points again.”

The Gills have used several formations this season and Martin has been switched from full-back to wing-back on several occasions.

“Nowadays the modern full-back is expected to go forward and to defend,” said the 25-year-old.

“Fitness wise, it is possibly one of the hardest positions on the pitch and you are expected to do a bit of both.

“You can get the chance to go forward but it depends on the game. My fitness has always been okay and luckily it runs in the family.

“It is more enjoyable going forward than defending and I do like playing as a wing-back.”