Chairman Paul Scally stressed "everybody has a role to play" as Gillingham look to move away from the League 1 relegation zone.

Gillingham have not won for nine games – their last victory came against Stockport on December 16 – and Mr Scally said: "We must stick together. Everybody has a role to play - the manager, players and fans.

"Mark Stimson is not a bad manager and will improve in time.

"The players are individually good but not gelling and the fans are understably nervous. It is a very concerning time."

The home defeat against Tranmere on Tuesday night attracted only 3,840 fans - Gillingham’s lowest League 1 crowd of the season - and chants of "We want Stimson Out, We Want Stimson Out" echoed around Priestfield at the final whistle.

Mr Scally added: "Collectively, as a club, we have all got parts to play. The mood inside Priestfield has not been good for the last three home games. It has been very quiet. The terraces have a big part to play.

"The fans are frustrated but so is everybody - the manager, players and nobody more so than me.

"The fans (Gills) were unbelievable at Brentford last weekend. We have to do that for 90 minutes at Priestfield.

"But it is a chicken-and-egg situation. The players need the crowd to lift them but the fans need lifting themselves.

"We have to create an atmosphere inside Priestfield that makes it difficult for opposing teams and easier for ourselves."