FORMER City boss Peter Taylor has been backed to “do an Alan Pardew” and revive Gillingham’s fortunes.

The Gills claimed their first league win in nine against fellow strugglers Leyton Orient last week.

Taylor has felt some heat from the fans as he looks to rebuild with a younger squad this season. But chairman Paul Scally believes the boo boys should lay off, citing the situation with Pardew at Newcastle.

Scally said: “Alan Pardew is a good mate of mine and I can tell you the abuse he and his family were getting from our Geordie friends when Newcastle were in the relegation zone was quite frankly disgusting and unacceptable.

“How does that sit with the same people now he’s pulled a few wins and got them to touching distance of the top four?

“We haven’t got the wins in plenty that we wanted so far but don’t throw the baby out with the dishwater, hang in there and keep the faith.

“As for Peter Taylor and our management team, I feel for them to be honest. Good guys, nice individuals, great football people, working very hard, doing a good job, rebuilding a new team and trying to play a different style.

“They can’t win in some people’s eyes and are easy bait for the trolls who could of course all do a better job; under pressure from those that seem to know better and should be sacked according to some.

“It pains me to hear it all. How do any of us in life expect our manager and coaches to work when we heap so much external pressure on them, analysing every moment and criticising at every opportunity and posting comments on forums that are probably seen by their families and friends?”

Cody McDonald came off the bench to score a dramatic winner in the eighth minute of stoppage time against the O’s. He is likely to be rewarded with a return to the starting line-up at Valley Parade – where he has netted for the Gills for the past two seasons.

McDonald said: “I know myself I haven’t been playing that great but I’ll keep going and keep trying and hopefully that goal will give me a bit of confidence.”