Justin Edinburgh believes Saturday’s win over Southend will have helped get rid of the hangover from last season.

The Gills finished the previous campaign without a win in eight and defeats in their last three.

But they came good at Southend in their opening game of the 2016/17 season, coming from behind to win 3-1.

Boss Edinburgh said: “There are greater expectations of this group and the club because of what they did last year (topping the table several times and being in around the promotion places until the latter stages).

“We understand that but you have to be consistent and level with your emotions.

“The fans were probably disappointed with the results in pre-season but you have to look beyond that. I think that performance has given everyone a big lift around the club.

“I didn’t expect or intend that there would be a hangover as much as there was but this performance has certainly gone a long way to working it out of the system.

“I’m immensely pleased with the performance.”

The Gills were behind before new signing Jay Emmanuel-Thomas converted a Paul Konchesky corner.

Edinburgh said: “It was a frantic first 25 minutes and obviously Southend had the upper-hand with the possession and were a threat.

“From conceding the goal we came alive and once we scored we were the team that looked like we would go on and win the game.”