Mark Stimson has urged Gillingham’s fans to give the players their full backing for the final five games of the League 2 season.

The Gills boss came under fire from supporters on Saturday as his side lost 2-0 at home to Barnet but Stimson has asked them to forget about him and back the players.

Gillingham have a busy Easter period coming up with a trip to Wycombe on Saturday being followed by a home game against Dagenham on Easter Monday.

Stimson said: "Encourage the players and get behind them because they need it now more than ever.

"Good sides and good supporters come through thick and thin together and from now until the end of the season, just encourage them more than you’ve ever done.

"I’ve been fortunate to have two other jobs where I was cherished and loved but the day I left I was hated.

"I know this job is not about me being loved – it’s about the players. They are the ones who need the tender loving care. I’m big enough and strong enough to take it on board.

"I just want the supporters to come in and hopefully enjoy the game and back the players to the hilt.

"I’ve been out on the pitch and I know what it’s like to hear moans and groans around the pitch. It can effect some players, so save your frustration if you need to until the end of the game because it’s not going to do us any good at all."

Stimson has injury concerns ahead of the weekend with Andy Barcham (knee) and Adam Miller (ankle) both rated at 50-50. Miller, Mark Bentley and Barry Fuller are all on nine yellow cards and Saturday’s match is the final one where one more caution will carry an immediate two-game ban.

Gills go into the weekend sixth in the table and just three points from the automatic promotion places.

Stimson said: "We’re in a fantastic position and there are many teams in this division who would like to be where we are.

"We’ve got to get back to what we do best which is getting in around teams and playing at a high tempo."

Click the audio link to listen to Mark Stimson look ahead to a busy weekend.