Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth admits he’s been surprised by the quality of the players he’s inherited.

Ainsworth took over a Gills side sitting 19th in League 2 but they looked better than a struggling team during Tuesday night’s draw with Colchester United.

The new boss is using the final month of the season to see what current players fits into his plans when they have a fresh assault on the league next season.

Ainsworth said: “Going 1-0 down in both games (since taking charge) and coming back (to draw 1-1) shows character.

“I probably underestimated the players a little bit.

“I've come in and thought, you know what, they've surprised me.

“I think there's some good players in this squad and for one reason or another they just haven't clicked. They certainly clicked the other night and I was really pleased seeing that.

“We must keep that consistent performance level up there.

“The intensity was there, great composure on the ball, everything but that final piece of the jigsaw, just to put the ball in the back of the net.

“The signs are great. It's not like I've walked in and there's two games and I'm thinking, ‘Wow, where am I going to get my first win from? This is a team I can work with.

“This is a team that have got a good spirit, a bit of direction needed, great staff around me. The journey has begun and hopefully we can see many more performances like we did on Tuesday night.”

Ainsworth is in daily discussions with head of recruitment Andy Hessenthaler about future plans but is keen to give the current crop chance to impress him.

He said: “Let's start seeing what we've got in the building first because everyone will have their opinions.

“The ex-managers will have their opinions, but it's my opinion that counts now, and if I think somebody's got a new lease of life and deserves to have a chance, then I want to back myself on that decision.

“I've got seven more games to find out exactly what I've got here.

“These are big moments for the boys, but working with the recruitment guys is going to be fun and I'm sure we'll come up with some good signings for the place.

“Getting in here with the time left gives me a brilliant period of time to have a look at the current squad. I think that credit should go to (owners) Brad, Shannon and (managing director) Joe to make a bold move. They could have easily gone, ‘No, let's wait until the end of the season and make changes’.

“I think it works for me, it works for them. It certainly works for the players because they know what they're getting now and whether they want to be here next season, whether they're trying extra hard to be here next season or don't want to be with me next season, we'll find out in these next few weeks.

“But so far, everyone has given me positive vibes and that's great. They're a good bunch of lads, they really are. I think they were just a little bit lost and just needed that galvanising, that leading.

“We may get beat Saturday (at Salford). We don't know how it's going to go but over the long journey, we'll be a better club than where we are now, and I'm pretty sure of that.”

Jonny Williams showed his quality on Tuesday while Jayden Clarke has been reintroduced to the team and even Aaron Rowe had a run-out in midweek after a two-month absence.

Fans will have formed their own opinions of the players, with plenty of social media opinion about who should play and who should be sent packing.

But Ainsworth tries to steer clear of all that chat, saying: “I never go on social media, ever. I don't hardly read press. I don't even look at my own interviews most of the time.

“I don't look at anything so nobody gets in here (my head). I pick on what I see and what I feel.

“I think it can be corrupted and I don't even know how to use social media. My daughter's always saying, ‘Stop touching that, you're liking it or something!’ I don't even know what I'm doing.

“We just totally stay away from that and like I say, nobody gets into me.

“Good posts or bad posts, I know fans will do them. I won't read them, they won't get to me. I'll just crack on with the way I feel.

“I'll go on merit, I'll go on what I believe is the right thing and it'll be my decision. I think that's really important.

“Whatever's gone is gone. I always look forward to what can affect tomorrow and never mind yesterday.”