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Sport

Maidstone United head of football John Still ready to fine-tune his squad

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 06:00, 05 September 2019

Maidstone boss John Still is set to fine-tune his squad over the next couple of weeks.

The Stones sit seventh after nine games of the National League South season, with four wins, two draws and three defeats.

Maidstone head of football John Still with head coach Hakan Hayrettin Picture: Steve Terrell

They’re about where Still expected at this stage but having warned not every new signing would work out, he’s ready to tinker.

He said: “We actually think we may need to fine-tune our squad a little bit over the next week or two.

“Our spirit is tremendous, our attitude is tremendous, our ability has been a little bit up and down.

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“As poor as it was at Wealdstone on Saturday, it was as good as it’s been at Dulwich on Tuesday night.

“We’re about where I thought we would be if I’m honest, in terms of points, in terms of everything.

“We should improve but we might need to change one or two.

“I know in my head who but it’s confusing sometimes because when you think ‘I’m not quite sure about him’ they go and play well.

“But you can’t go on a game, you’ve got to go on a group of games.

Ibby Akanbi scores Maidstone's winner at Dulwich Picture: Steve Terrell

“You look at what they’re in the team for and are they producing consistently?

“That’s the key and we have to find players that can do that for us.”

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Maidstone host pre-season title favourites Havant at the Gallagher on Saturday.

The Hawks sat third before last night’s (Wednesday) game against bottom club Hungerford, boasting the only unbeaten record in the division.

Boss Paul Doswell has put together an experienced side but it’s Wealdstone, who beat United last weekend, who set the pace.

Still said: “I don’t think Havant are the best side in the league, I think Wealdstone are because they’re top, and I didn’t think they were great.

“Don’t get me wrong, they deserved to beat us comfortably, and they did, but I didn’t think they were great.

“Whoever we play, we have to play our game, our way, and you can win a lot of games doing that.

Justin Amaluzor runs at the Dulwich defence on Tuesday night Picture: Steve Terrell

“If we do that and get beat, we can hold our hands up and say they were better than us on the day.

“We have to get better in certain areas and up our quality in the final third but we were obviously better than Dulwich, all over the pitch.”

Former Stones caretaker boss Simon Walton returns to the Gallagher this weekend.

He also served as player-coach under Still but left for a similar role at Havant at the end of last season.

Still said: “I think Simon was frustrated here, he used to get frustrated a lot, and maybe he felt his time was up.

“He’s a great lad, we’ve got no problems with him at all.

“He’s moved on and Ryan Gordon’s come in here and been part of what we do, so we’re happy.”

Ryan Johnson and Sam Corne are injury doubts after missing Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Dulwich.

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent

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