Former boss Justin Edinburgh has admitted he got his summer recruitment at Gillingham wrong.

There were high hopes this season for the Gills but they head into Sunday’s game at Northampton in the thick of a relegation battle.

Gills chairman Paul Scally has previously spoken about the current squad as being the costliest ever, but they have failed to deliver.

Edinburgh, who was sacked by the Gills in January, is now in charge of weekend opponents Northampton and could send his former side down to League 2.

“You are only as good as your players,” he said.

“I had an honest group. If I am honest perhaps I didn’t get my recruitment right in the summer and that is what you live and die by.”

Some of Edinburgh’s big summer signings failed to shine. Former England international Paul Konchesky was released midway through the season and ended up at non-league Billericay.

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He was joined there by Jamie O’Hara, another big name signing that failed to make an impact with the Gills, leaving the club early after struggling to get fit. He ended up in the Big Brother house before dropping into non-league.

Striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas joined on loan from QPR and scored some memorable goals, while also infuriating fans with his style of play. He was shown the door by Gills boss Ady Pennock, soon after he took over from sacked Edinburgh.

Edinburgh was also responsible for releasing Brennan Dickenson, who has gone onto have a great season at Colchester United.

Speaking ahead of the game, Edinburgh believes he is now in a better place.

He said: “All things happen for a reason. I am in a better place, at a better club now.

“Would I take any satisfaction in (relegating Gillingham)? It is a difficult one to answer.”