OAKLEY EYES UNBEATEN RUN
Loan signing George Oakley feels Maidstone are capable of staying unbeaten for the rest of the season.
Stones are six without defeat and Oakley (pictured) who’s joined on loan from AFC Wimbledon, likes what he’s seen.
United are one place outside the National League bottom four in 20th but Oakley, handed his debut against Sutton on Tuesday night, expects them to push on in the last nine games.
He said: “The quality of the players here is unbelievable.
“I don’t think we should be where we are from what I’ve seen out there – the desire, attitude, everything about the place.
“We’re six unbeaten and we could go the rest of the season unbeaten now and climbing that table.
“You can see the confidence in the dressing room. It’s bouncing and you just get involved in it.
“It’s a great feeling because you feel part of the squad straight away.
“They’re like your friends now and you just go out and play a game of football and feel confident. They’re a great bunch and have welcomed me with open arms.”
Oakley has several Football League games under his belt keep at Wimbledon, his most recent appearance coming in a 1-1 draw against Coventry last month.
But the atmosphere as almost 3,000 fans turned out against Sutton took the 21-year-old by surprise.
He said: “Coming out there, especially with the new stand, the atmosphere was amazing.
“I’ve played in front of a few thousand fans before but the atmosphere out there was probably one of the best I’ve known. It was that good.
“I had a couple of options when my name went out for loan but I wanted to come here straight away. There was no other choice to make.
“The facilities and everything, it’s all what you need for a football club and especially the fan base, it’s unbelievable. I never knew how big the fan base was.”
Oakley made way for Alex Flisher after an hour and knows there’s more to come as he adjusts to the league.
He said: “It’s good to come on loan and get straight in the team.
“It might have taken a little bit of time to get used to because it’s quick football and it’s hard to get into but I feel I was finding my feet fine.”