Jay Saunders believes it may take longer than expected to impose Maidstone’s new style on National League South.

United’s 1-0 home defeat by Oxford City on Saturday was their second loss in three games since promotion.

Boss Saunders is looking to move away from the direct style that won the Ryman League championship in favour of possession football.

And while United had enough chances to beat Oxford, they’ve yet to click as their manager would like.

Saunders said: “Maybe it will take longer than we thought. I know that. I’m not silly enough to think things change overnight. It’s giving the confidence to players to do it.

“It might mean we’ve got to change one or two to get the blend right.

“You’re trying different things and trying to get it right and hopefully sooner or later it’ll click but sometimes it takes a little while.”

Stones fans have seen their team suffer back-to-back home defeats for the first time since the Gallagher Stadium opened in 2012.

Saunders added: “I’d like to think a lot of the crowd understand we are a new squad, there’s things we’ve got to work on and improve on.

“We’ll keep trying but I’m sure that understanding won’t last for ever.

“We know we’ve got to start winning games. It’s difficult. We’ve not lost two games on the bounce at home since we’ve been here. It’s new but that’s the difference in level."

Maidstone made three changes to the side who lost to Ebbsfleet in midweek, including a return for Alex Brown in place of James Rogers who didn’t even make the bench.

Saunders said: “I probably got that call slightly wrong on Tuesday and I felt Browny deserved to go back in.

“I’ve had a good chat with Rodgo. I just feel that he’s not quite reached the standards of last year but that’ll come.

“I felt it would be good for him to have a little break from it.

“Sometimes it helps when you come out and you can switch off a little bit.

“I’ve got no worries with him. He knows what I think of him but he needs to get his confidence up again. He’s looked a little bit quiet in training.”