Jay’s defensive dilemma
Get all the latest news at www.kentonline.co.uk/sport STONES BOSS WANTS TO GET QPR LOAN DEFENDER BACK IN HIS SIDE
things but, as a footballer, you can’t dwell on it too much. “You just have to keep going, keep training hard and I’m sure my luck will turn soon. “I scored a few goals last year but what can I say? I’m trying. “It’s not like I’m not working hard. I always put 100% in to my performances. “I’ve been doing a lot of defensive work as well, I’m tracking back quite a lot. I just put my all in for the team. As long as we win and as long as we’re playing well, I can’t complain.” Maidstone are trying to figure out how to get Alex Finney back in the team.
The on-loan QPR defender is too good to be sitting on the bench but boss Jay Saunders is reluctant to break up Magnus Okuonghae’s partnership with Alex Wynter.
There’s always the option of switching to a back three when United host Woking in the National League on Saturday ( 3pm) but it’s a system Saunders has rarely used in management.
Finney has been fit for a couple of weeks since recovering from a groin injury and is waiting for his chance.
Saunders said: “There’s all different ways we can look at playing.
“Alex is someone we’d like to get back in the side because he’s a good player but Alex Wynter and Mags have been good, too.
“It’s a difficult one and Alex understands that. QPR aren’t pressing us to play him but, at the same time, he is a good player and we’d like to get him back in the side as soon as we can.
“We won’t take players on loan if there’s pressure to play them. You get quite a lot of league clubs now who do a thing where if their player plays, you only pay half money and if they don’t play, you pay full money. “But QPR haven’t done that, they’ve been good, getting him treated and back fit with us as soon as possible.”
Saunders is convinced Finney, who made three firstteam appearances for Bolton, will become a Football League regular.
He added: “He’s got all the tools to go and play a very good level. They think highly of him at QPR and I’m sure he’ll keep improving.
“He’s come here to get games, he needs that competitive football and he’ll tell you it’s a completely different style to what he’s used to in under-21s football.”
Delano Sam-Yorke is looking for his first goal of the season when United face his former club Woking but with Johan ter Horst knocking at the door, he’s not guaranteed a start.
Saunders said: “Sentiment goes out the window with me.
“I’ll always pick the team that I think is right to win the game, whatever team that may be. If Delano’s in it or not, then we’ll see.”
Maidstone go to Eastleigh on Tuesday (7.45pm).