Gillingham striker Seb Palmer-Houlden takes confidence from end-of-season form as he aims to add consistency to his game in 2026/27

Seb Palmer-Houlden ended his first season at Gillingham in encouraging form - but admits consistency is the biggest challenge ahead.

The striker was rediscovering confidence and producing some of his best performances in a Gills shirt in the latter part of last season after an injury-hit start.

Looking back on the final few months, Palmer-Houlden felt he was beginning to show his true qualities.

“I felt more like myself,” he said. “My best game in a Gills shirt was probably at Walsall [in early April].

“Just because I was creative, I was positive and I got on the scoresheet.

“It showed that I need to be more consistent with the way I play. I think sometimes I can be a bit too hot and cold.

“I just need to stay steady. I think that will help me in the future.”

The 22-year-old believes consistency is something that naturally comes with experience and is determined to find ways of helping the team even when he is not at his best in possession.

“I think it’s part and parcel of being a young player,” he said.

“As you get older, you learn the tricks of the trade and things like that. If you’re not having a great game, it’s what can you do to affect the game?

“For my position, I try to have a great game and I score. It’s all forgotten about. That’s the way it is.

“You’ve got to switch your mindset into thinking what’s the best way you can help the team. I think if you’re not doing great on the ball, you can never have a bad game off the ball.

“That’s what my mindset is trying to change to.”

Palmer-Houlden scored five goals during a campaign he admits never quite got going after an injury in the final pre-season friendly with Dartford.

Having completed a productive summer programme and feeling sharp, the setback proved difficult