Andy Hessenthaler began his second tenure at the Priestfield helm with a 1-1 draw against Cheltenham and the Gills Gaffer believes that the occasion may have got to one or two of his new charges, "I'm pleased enough, although obviously disappointed that we haven't won the game, because we were on our own patch.
"It's a point on the board. I thought we looked a bit nervous at the start of the game, but that's understandable when you've got a couple of players in there making their debuts. Once we got the nerves out the way, I thought we passed the ball well at times in the first half.
"We got ourselves into some good opportunities but we were reluctant to have that final shot. By delaying it, we gave them a chance to defend it, and that is a criticism of us. When we did try and change the play, that's when we were at our most dangerous.
"We got Barch on the ball a few times and he got in behind the full-back. It was just that final little bit that was lacking. We got in that final third today but we need to take our opportunities by shooting a bit more, but that will come, there is a lot to work on."
Summer signings Stefan Payne and Adebayo Akinfenwa made their Gillingham debuts and Hessy gave his verdict on the strike pair, "I felt he (Stefan) looked a bit nervous, especially early on. We've got to work on him. He's got lots to learn and I think he was looking for that perfect goal really, having too many touches, but he's only 18, so I'm not going to be too quick with the lad. He did ok.
"The big man came on and we had him ready at 0-0 because we felt that perhaps we needed a little lift, but unfortunately we conceded as we were trying to bring him on. You could see what he gives us, every time it goes up there, it stays up there.
"He's working very hard and he knows what he's got to get to in terms of his fitness levels. He hasn't done himself any harm today by coming on and he says he's going to get more than 17 goals, and I believe he really will do that. I'm delighted with him, he's a great lad."
Akinfenwa changed the shape of the game, after arriving as a second half substitute, and Hessenthaler admits the target man may have forced himself into his plans for tomorrow night's Carling Cup tie at Carrow Road adding, "He's given me a tricky situation because he made a massive impact, without a doubt, but he's not quite ready, and he knows that. Do we start him and then he doesn't finish the game, or do we keep him until the game becomes stretched?
"He is a handful, and I'm sure the two Cheltenham centre-halves would tell you that. We've got to make our mind up on that, but we have to be careful because he is two weeks behind everyone else. The last thing we want is to overuse him and then all of a sudden he gets injured."
Another player to catch the Gaffer's eye was young midfielder Jack Payne who was named man-of-the-match for his assured display at the heart of midfield, "There were some really good performances and I thought Jack Payne was outstanding for an 18 year-old. He was my man of the match by a country mile and it just shows you what a player that boy is going to be.
"He can go after the ball when we haven't got it and when we have, he is the one to go and play, so let's keep our fingers crossed that we can keep him here, because if he keeps playing like that, he'll be attracting a lot of clubs."
Finally, Hessenthaler was warmly applauded by the Gills faithful before kick-off and the Gills Boss was clearly touched by the gesture, adding, "It was a great reception and I was very humbled by all the fans. I think they were tremendous today and they got behind the boys even when we went 1-0 down.
"Obviously I'm disappointed that we couldn't give them that first three points on the board but we'll have a good season. It brought back lots and lots of memories from when I first played for the club. Let's hope I can deliver what they want and get this promotion that we are all after."
