Let’s reach the League together
PAXMAN CAN FULFIL AMBITIONS AT STONES
Jack Paxman has an eye on fulfilling his Football League ambitions at Maidstone.
Paxman has made no secret of his desire to return to the professional game, having started his career with Southend.
The midfielder, who turns 22 next week, has signed a new contract at the Gallagher and believes National League South Stones are capable of reaching League 2.
He said: “The club’s built to go that way, all the foundations are set up, so I don’t see why not.
“It’s going to take time but we’ve got the fan-base and we’ve got the right people at the club.
“It would be nice if we could get there together.”
Maidstone are all but assured of a play-off place this season, while the title remains a possibility.
But the Gallagher is the place to be for Paxman, even if they do miss out on the first of two promotions needed to reach the Football League. He said: “It’s been a good season and at the moment I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I’m happy to get the contract done before the end of the season and to know where I stand.
“Either way, I think we’ve exceeded expectations. We’ve come this far, so why stop now?
“We want to get promoted but if we don’t, I’m still happy to be here because we’ve developed a squad that can push on, no matter what.
“Everyone gets on, which helps, everyone can play football and we’ve got the right balance between youth and experience.
“We’ve got some good older heads in the changing room and youngsters who just want to prove they can play at this level.
“We didn’t expect to be second in the league but that’s the way football goes sometimes.”
Paxman’s class on the ball and his ability to pick a pass have never been in doubt.
But his tendency to drop deep frustrated manager Jay Saunders, who has responded by pushing him into a new No.10 role behind a main striker.
Paxman said: “At the moment it’s working quite well. Earlier on in the season I was playing a bit deeper.
“I’ve got a habit sometimes of going a little bit too deep, which takes away my impact on the game.
“The reason Jay’s put me higher up the pitch is so I can affect the game up there and I have got a few more assists.
“I’m still looking for goals but they’re coming, so I’m enjoying the No.10 role at the moment.
“I just like having the ball. If I can get on the ball, then I’m happy.”
There’s a running joke in the Maidstone dressing room that Paxman can’t play on poor pitches.
He’s often been the one to make way when the conditions don’t suit his game but an outstanding performance at Bishop’s Stortford, on possibly the worst pitch United have played on all season, showed he can do it.
Paxman said: “I’ll let the Bishop’s Stortford game speak for itself.
“Everyone likes to joke about me on bad pitches but I just like to play football on the floor.
“I’m not the tallest, I’m not going to win all the headers, so the better the pitch, we can pass the ball more.
“To get where I want to be in the game, you’ve got to be able to do both sides, so I’ve got to shift that tag that I can’t play on bad pitches.”
‘It’s been a good season for us. . . I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else’