Half a job done: Gareth Ainsworth needs to take Gillingham FC transfer action ASAP | OneFootball

Gareth Ainsworth is working hard to transform Gillingham's fortunes, but if he's to be successful, he'll need a little help from the transfer market.

Gareth Ainsworth is working hard to transform Gillingham FC's fortunes, but if he's to take them to the next level, he'll need a little help from the transfer market.

Prior to Ainsworth's arrival at Priestfield, Gillingham had built an unwanted reputation as perennial underachievers – a club that, despite promise and a history that showed they could battle to the heady heights of the Championship, found themselves languishing in League Two, and seemingly unable to make any sort of impression.

But since Ainsworth's appointment by owner Brad Galinson and managing director Joe Comper, things have started to trend upward at ME7. At the time of writing, Gillingham are unbeaten under Ainsworth, and are currently riding a 16-game undefeated streak, and after years of underachievement, it feels like something special is being built at Priestfield.

Gareth Ainsworth is building an identity at Gillingham FC

One of the big tasks handed to Ainsworth upon his arrival was to re-establish an identity at the club once again. The brutal truth was that Gillingham, once known as a hard-nosed, run-through-walls-type team who would go into the trenches with any side they faced, had gone soft.

But under Ainsworth, that steel has started to return, and a side that previously had little backbone or character is now starting to look like one of the toughest teams to play against in League Two. It's meant they've become incredibly hard to beat under the former Wycombe and QPR boss, but despite the improvements, they're far from the finished article.

While the team may have rediscovered its grit and determination, and Ainsworth's impassioned comments after their stoppage-time comeback to draw 1-1 at Tranmere at the weekend showed how much the character of the team has changed, he also made sure to promise that the manner of the team's performances will change as time goes on.

"I am, honestly, so, so pleased with this group of players," he told reporters after the draw at Tranmere.

"We are a committed team, and we are so proud of the togetherness that this group's got. And (to the) fans, I know in the past sometimes we've probably played better football, but not have the results. You're going to get that – it'll come. But I'm going to get the results first. I'm going to get this resilience and something to be proud of. And when (the fans) travel like they did, we cannot help but give everything – empty the tank."

Gareth Ainsworth's hard-working Gills need pace, and a cutting edge, in attack

After bringing an identity back to the team and building an already-strong connection between the players and fanbase, Ainsworth's next task is to add quality to the industry and introduce a creative spark to the side.

Bradley Dack has that ability, but the way the Gills have operated so far this season hasn't been conducive to his qualities so far. However, the addition of some raw pace, particularly in wide areas, could help stretch teams and create more space for the Gills hero to operate in.

Fans saw a glimpse of that pace in the form of Lenni Cirino, who stepped in for his EFL debut to replace the suspended Max Clark at left-back on Tuesday night, and ended up bursting through the heart of the Chesterfield defence to smash home Gillingham's third in a 4-1 rout at Priestfield.

The sight of a left-back charging through the middle to score isn't something you'll see too often this season, but it highlighted just what might be possible for this Gillingham side if a forward with legitimate pace was added to the mix.

That need for more pace and creativity hasn't gone unnoticed by Ainsworth, who has already made clear his hope to bring at least one more attacking signing into the club before the end of the transfer window. The injury situation at the back, with Conor Masterson and Shad Ogie both set to miss several games, is also cause for concern, and reinforcements may also be sought in that area.

The last two weeks of the transfer window could be crucial to Gillingham's fortunes in 2025-26

Gillingham's win over Chesterfield demonstrated what could be possible if the Kent club can consistently produce high-octane performances and create chances. But to do that, the Gills need more creativity and pace in the final third, and with the clock ticking on the summer transfer window, the next two weeks could prove to be crucial for Gillingham's season.

The Gills boss has admitted he's already in discussions with Galinson and the club's recruitment team over the acquisition of key additions before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.

Their victory over one of the fancied promotion favourites on Tuesday night made the whole division start to sit up and take notice of what Ainsworth is building at ME7. The addition of more firepower before the end of the transfer window could potentially turn Gillingham from playoff hopefuls into serious contenders at the top of League Two.