ANDY HESSENTHALER might care to reflect on the words of novelist and poet TS Eliot as he prepares for his fourth and probably most difficult campaign in charge of Gillingham.

Eliot wrote: “Only those who risk going too far, know how far they can go.”

Having guided the club to year-on-year improvements of 13th, 12th and last season’s historic 11th place in the Nationwide League, Division 1, the Gills boss is going for broke.

Courageously he has raised his head above the parapet and placed himself in the line of fire by publicly setting his sights on the play-offs.

It may be a place too far but then Hessenthaler will find inspiration from Eliot’s words.

With pundits predicting that the rough and tumble of Division 1 will be tougher than for years, with West Ham and West Bromwich Albion striving for immediate returns to the Premier League, competition will have an extra edge.

Jostling them will be Sheffield United, Norwich and a Reading side enriched by the presence of the prolific Shaun Goater.

Even Bradford City, once rumoured to be standing at the gates of the knackers’ yard, have suddenly found the money to offer their players £1.5 million in promotion bonuses.

Gillingham’s resilience in maintaining a Division 1 presence followed by last season’s brush with the play-off places, has fired the imagination of Kent’s footballing public.

Thriving season ticket sales bear testimony to the fans’ great expectations.

Hessenthaler mixes logic with shrewdness. He talks of the need for the team to play to their maximum, week in, week out. Of keeping clean sheets and squeezing goals away from home.

His leadership style will, as ever be invigorating, intense, honest and, above all, aggressive.

He said: “I’ve said we’re aiming for the play-off positions because it’s vital we maintain our year-on-year improvement because no club can afford to stand still.

“I know it will be tough this season, maybe tougher than ever judging by the teams that have come down and the others in the division who are being bankrolled by wealthy owners.

“The point I’ve made to the players is that we’re going to have to play to our maximum in pretty well every game.

“Given a settled side - and every successful side needs that -- we can mix it with the best. But we need to be firing on all cylinders with Marlon King, Rod Wallace, Tommy Johnson and Mamady Sidibe fully fit.”

Hessenthaler knows Gillingham’s fortunes will rise or fall on the willingness of every member of the squad to work for each other. Priestfield remains a no-go area for prima-donnas all the time he rules the roost.

Newcomers Ian Cox and John Hills have quickly adhered to Gillingham’s crucial work ethic which is the undoubted secret behind their success.

“I’m pleased to have signed both players because already they have proved terrific additions to the squad and blended in well with the rest of the lads.

“John has played at the highest level with Everton and while meaning no disrespect to his previous club, Blackpool, he wants to savour it again.

“Both of them will learn in the next few weeks that nobody likes playing Gillingham. Some say that we intimidate the opposition because we graft so hard and never say die.”

And what of his own playing career. After much consideration, he has decided to play on in his 38th year and placed all thoughts of retirement in abeyance.

Portsmouth’s Harry Redknapp and Brighton’s Steve Coppell were just two managers who last season urged him to carry on playing.

“If I didn’t think I could offer something to the team then I would have hung up my boots in the summer,” he stressed.

“I'm not going to play every game and there will be plenty of times when I’m on the bench.

“But I feel fit and well and most important I have confidence in myself to think I can make a difference.”

Those sentiments will impact especially on the player many have earmarked as his heir-apparent in the Gillingham midfield.

Twenty-one-year old Danny Spiller, with his ‘up-and-at-’em’ style of play, mirrors that of his manager.

Hessenthaler chuckles at the comparison. “He’s still learning the midfield game, but yes, there are times when I look at him and think back to what I was like at his age.

“He’s incredibly enthusiastic. At the end of last season, which he finished in the side, I congratulated him on his performances.

“I also told him he needed to bring greater discipline to his game. This coming season will pose a big test for him, but I can see him starting in the side.”

Then there is the conundrum that Nyron Nosworthy poses for his manager.

Is he a defender or reluctant striker?

Goals against Crystal Palace in last season’s home finale followed by some venomous strikes in pre-season friendlies have added weight to the theory that he can benefit the team in a forward position.

So, is he a defender or forward?

“There are times when he’s been indifferent in defence, though he’s said he prefers playing there,” Hessenthaler added.

"Up front he makes his pace and strength tell and boy can he strike a ball well. I also believe that Nicky Southall’s best position is at right wing-back.

“He didn't do himself justice when he arrived back from Bolton last season but you can put that down to him not playing enough games for them. I believe he is better with the ball in the right-back position than Nyron.

“They’re my thoughts on that subject now, so we’ll see.”

Coventional logic suggest that no conclusions should be drawn about a season until each club has played 10 games.

Hessenthaler abides by that old maxim because he is convinced that by then injured key players will have returned -- and only then will you see the real Gillingham.