Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth is confident his new-look squad can deliver in League 2 this season

Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth is backing his new-look squad to deliver in League 2.

There have been 11 new faces as Ainsworth moulds the squad to his liking.

It’s all or nothing for Ainsworth now, who has the tools he wants at his disposal.

“It’s up to me now to get us in a much better place on the pitch, which at any football club is key,” said Ainsworth.

“I’m not stupid, I know that. I’ve said, ‘judge me this year’, and I mean that because I’m super confident in the squad I’ve got.

“I love high stakes. It makes you feel alive. If there was nothing to live for and to be up for, then life would be pretty boring.

“So, high stakes, give me all day. I’m ready for it.

“The league is my bread and butter, the league is where I’m excited. League 2, I believe we will be super competitive in.

“I’ve done it before. I know what it takes to get out of this league and I’m feeling pretty close to having a squad that I feel will be capable of finishing high in this league.”

It’s the start of a second full season in charge at Priestfield for Ainsworth, who arrived at the end of March 2025.

He’s already the 10th longest-serving manager in the division, and appreciates the backing he’s had from owners Brad and Shannon Galinson.

“All I’ll say is this is only the second time at any football club I’ve had a second season,” said Ainsworth.

“I didn’t have it at Shrewsbury, I didn’t have it at QPR. I had one at Wycombe and went on to fantastic things.

“This is only the second time in 14 years of management I’ve actually had a second season somewhere. What that says about me, I don't know, but it says that if it goes like it did at Wycombe, which I believe we’re in the realms of doing, it’ll be a pretty good season.

“You can ask Alex