Results can’t cloud vision
ELOKOBI SPOTS POSITIVE SIGNS DESPITE BARREN SPELL
George Elokobi can see the progress at Maidstone - even if results don’t yet show it.
Elokobi has worked tirelessly during his two months as caretaker boss to transform the Stones’ fortunes.
Despite that, they are staring National League relegation in the face, 13 points from safety with nine games to go.
They’re off to Maidenhead on Saturday (3pm) where their task will be even harder after top scorer Jack Barham left for Aldershot this week.
Elokobi has remained positive throughout and takes encouragement from what he’s seen on the pitch.
“We’re getting performances from the players,” said Elokobi. “Our players are competing, Maidstone United Football Club is competing and teams are showing us a lot of respect. “The two months have gone fast. This is football. But the work is always ongoing behind the scenes.
“We keep preparing our players, we keep progressing, we keep building the team. “We keep developing our players and giving them the confidence and belief to go out there and perform, individually, but also collectively as a team. “There’s more to come in that changing room.
“Progress takes time. We’ll keep chipping away, slowly but surely, and when we arrive everyone is going to know about it.”
Sol Wanjau-Smith is the only player contracted for next season, although the club do have options on some others. There’s a clear incentive to finish the campaign with a flourish, either to earn new deals at Maidstone or attract interest elsewhere. However, Elokobi said: “From the moment the season started, everyone was playing for their future - it’s not just now.
“From the first minute of the first game, players contracted to Maidstone United are representing our football club and that isn’t going to change all the way to the last game.
“It’s one game at a time. We’ll speak to players when we feel everything is right to speak to them.”
Maidstone could be struggling for numbers at Maidenhead after further injury blows during last weekend’s FA Trophy Quarter-Final defeat by Barnet on penalties.
Roarie Deacon injured himself opening the scoring and later went off, while Mark Marshall had to be replaced after feeling his hamstring.
Barham’s departure further hits the numbers.
Maidenhead were the last side Maidstone beat in the National League, a 3-2 success at the Gallagher Stadium at the end of November.
They’ve gone 16 games without a win since. “It’s all about planning for the next game,” said Elokobi. “One or two came out of the Barnet game with niggles and the medical team has been at work to make sure we know the extent of these setbacks. “We have to keep planning with the players we’ve got. “We’ve got to make sure we look after them and prepare for Maidenhead and go into that game with a team that’s ready to go and fight for this football club.”