Chairman Paul Scally believes it’s too early to be judging Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler.

The majority of Hessenthaler’s squad is made up from the Mark Stimson regime and Mr Scally believes that only when his own men are brought in can the current boss be fully accountable.

A third of Hessenthaler’s 28-man squad have been signed since his arrival in the summer.

Mr Scally (pictured), speaking ahead of the weekend draw with Torquay, said: "I think Hessy’s type of player and the ones he tends to go for will be very different to those that Mark Stimson went for.

"In honesty, Hessy will be judged on what he does next year, because it will be his team next year. Having said that, I still think that what he has got with him are quite capable of having a good season and doing well.

"Anyone would have preferred us to be higher up the table with more points, but having said that, when you inherit someone else’s team and you are working with players who you wouldn’t necessarily be choosing for your own team it’s a difficult task.

"I think Hess has come in wanting to have a clean start and has drawn a line under any issues from last season. Most players have responded and there are one or two who haven’t."

A change in manager often means changing personnel. That is never a quick process, something that "annoys" the Gills chairman.

Mr Scally added: "We’ve got one or two players who are on very high salaries that Mark Stimson brought in that have not really embraced what he (Hessenthaler) is trying to do and what we’re trying to do as a club.

"We can’t do much about that until the end of the season when specific contracts run out on those individuals. It’s hugely annoying."

With Hessenthaler as manager Mr Scally is reassured that he has someone in charge who cares passionately about the club.

He said: "You will never know who the right man is and you could keep changing managers all your life but at least with Hess we know he cares about that club.

"He knows what he is doing, he is a football man and he played at a decent level.

"He deals with the players very well and works hard."

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