Gillingham emerge as League Two's form side under Ainsworth's reboot

Gills rise to fourth after ruthless Rovers defeat

Since dropping into League Two four years ago, Gillingham have never finished higher than 12th — a poor return for a club of their size and reputation. But Saturday's eye-catching 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers suggests something is stirring within Gareth Ainsworth's squad.

The Gills are now the form side in the division, with three wins and three draws across their past six outings, and have climbed to fourth in the table. Winger James Brophy has scored three goals in his past three games to lead the charge.

"I spoke to Gareth Ainsworth in the summer and he admitted he got it wrong last season. They perhaps overachieved a bit at the start and that created a false impression of where they were as a squad," said Aaron McLean.

"Gareth has ripped up the script a bit and they have looked really really positive and are playing their way into form.

"He is huge on the psychological aspect of management and players 'emptying the tank' and to play for Gareth Ainsworth you have to buy into that. When you look at their performances and the way they are achieving these results it looks like another squad of players who have bought into his ideas.

"You look at his Wycombe sides, you don't have to be the biggest club in the division as long as everyone is pulling in the right direction then you can be successful."

Four years of frustration giving way to buy-in

McLean's diagnosis is that Ainsworth has ripped up last season's script and rebuilt a group that, like his celebrated Wycombe sides before them, is pulling in one direction. For a club of Gillingham's standing, long overdue a return to the upper reaches of the division, the form of Brophy and company suggests this could finally be the season the Gills get it right.