KNOWLEDGE OF METHODS MAY HELP THE CAUSE
Maidstone boss Jay Saunders knows exactly what to expect at Dover on Boxing Day – but stopping them is another matter.
Saunders played under Whites manager Chris Kinnear at Margate when they climbed through the leagues and finished as the leading part-time side in the country in 2001 – even topping the Conference at one point.
Kinnear is leading another promotion charge at Crabble, with Dover sixth in the National League, and he employs virtually the same tactics that brought so much success at the Gate.
Critics dismiss them as long-ball merchants but Saunders respects his old manager’s methods. He said: “If you look at their record when they play the top teams, it’s probably better than when they
play the lower teams. A lot of that is because when they play the bigger clubs and the full-time clubs, a lot of them struggle to get their heads round how the system works. It’s difficult to play against.
“They don’t concede many, apart from the odd blip and they score a lot of goals. Their front three are dangerous, hard-working.
“That’s what they’re built on, getting the ball to the front three as quick as they can because they’re the ones who do the damage.
“Their front three are as good as anything in the league.
“You can’t knock them. People moan and say they’re not the best team to watch but they win a lot of games and it’s effective.
“I see a lot of the stuff they do and it’s similar to what we used to do when I played for Chris but with a slight twist. They’ve been successful, they’re having another good season and I’m sure they’ll fancy their chances of going up.”
Ricky Miller has 24 goals and is certain to attract interest in the January transfer window, with League 1 Peterborough among those to declare an interest. Ross Lafayette, Moses Emmanuel and Ricky Modeste are the other options in attack, so it’s not just a case of stopping Miller.
Saunders said: “Sometimes forwards have one of those seasons where everything they hit goes in. When I’ve watched Miller you can see he’s full of confidence and his first thought when he gets the ball is ‘can I score?’
“He’s banging them in and I’m sure a lot of clubs will be interested in him but Dover won’t want to lose him.
“It’s easy to say stop him and you stop Dover but that isn’t the case.
“They’ve got Ross Lafayette, Moses Emmanuel, Ricky Modeste to pick from and they’re all dangerous players who will hurt you.”
Saunders won his only previous meeting with Kinnear when Maidstone knocked Margate out of the FA Trophy four years ago.
Whether his knowledge of Kinnear’s tactics will help at Crabble on Boxing Day is another matter.
Saunders said: “I don’t know. It’s hard to say. I’m not on the pitch.
“I can only give players information I think will help them but once they cross the white line, it’s down to them.” Joe Healy has made just one substitute appearance since quitting Maidstone for Dover at the end of October. Healy was due to return to United after missing the first three months of the season, only to accept an offer from Whites. The move hasn’t worked out so far – but don’t rule out a Healy appearance at Crabble on Boxing Day. Stones boss Jay Saunders said: “It wouldn’t be a surprise if they throw him in against us. “I’m not sure what’s gone on there with Joe. I think he went away again for another wedding but my main focus is on getting us right.”