We must pull together
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Stones have lost 10 of their last 13 games and their task hardly gets easier with a double-header against Kent rivals and promotion contenders Dover.
United go to Crabble on Boxing Day (3pm), with the return game at the Gallagher on New Year’s Day (6pm), live on BT Sport. No one felt more disappointed than Saunders after United’s defeat by fellow strugglers North Ferriby last weekend.
But after three promotions in four years, there were always going to be difficult times this season – and it’s time for a reality check. Saunders said: “As down as I was, you kind of say ‘right, that’s it,’ or you may as well pack in and finish the season now.
“There’s a long way to go and I still think two or three signings will make a massive difference.
“People have got short memories, they forget what we’ve done in the last four years.
“We’ve won something every year – some clubs go 10 years without winning a thing. We’ve been fortunate here and it was going to catch up with us sooner or later.
“We’ve had a bit of a stumble this year. It’s not nice but we need everyone pulling in the same direction.
“One thing I will say is the lads will give their all and I’ll give it’s been a success. Success would be top half and comfortable and safe by Christmas.
“What I’m saying is things could be a lot worse, we could be bottom of the table and really struggling.
“We aren’t relegated, we’re still in the league, we’re above the relegation spaces. What we’ve got to do is try and win some games.”
Maidstone could have a new signing in place at Dover, with Saunders given permission to speak to a player this week.