Stones starting to click
Manager Jay Saunders feels it’s still too early to tell whether Maidstone will be a force in National League South.
Improving Stones sit eighth after 10 games and tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm) meet second-placed Bath City at the Gallagher Stadium.
The signs look good with United exciting going forward, while conceding only six goals.
But Saunders said: “I think you’re talking 15 games before the league settles down.
“I’m sure there are people in the top five who probably won’t end up there and people in the bottom five who won’t end up there.
“What’s pleased me is we’re 10 games in and I can’t remember a game we’ve not been in.
“We’ve competed and gradually getting better week.”
Saunders is enjoying the passing football his side are producing.
It’s a change of approach but Maidstone mustn’t lose the qualities that won the Ryman League we’re every Premier Division title.
He said: “It is good to watch but what I think is really important, and what I’ve said to them, is let’s not get away from what we were last season and that was hard to beat.
“If we can carry on being hard to beat, then we’ve got players who want to get on the ball and can make things happen.”
Adam Birchall has made an impact since arriving on loan, while the inclusion of Jack Paxman alongside Joe Healy in midfield has been key to Stones’ run of two wins and a draw in their last three games, all without conceding.
Saunders said: “Sometimes you just try things and they click. The boys have worked hard as well.
“It’s all right getting on the ball and passing it but you have to work hard to get it back and to keep it.
“You look at Joe Healy and Jack Paxman and they’re so comfortable on the ball.
“You worry sometimes that maybe they’re going to struggle defensively but at the moment it’s working.”