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Maidstone boss George Elokobi saw his faith in Devonte Aransibia repaid in style during their FA Cup win on Saturday.
The 25-year-old came in for some stick following last weekend’s league draw at Weston-super-Mare but Aransibia bounced back with a goal and an assist in the Stones’ 2-0 First Round win at Chesham.
“Devonte is an individual and my job as a manager, our job as a management team, is to make sure we know what the players give us,” explained Elokobi.
“I’ve done him a disservice by playing him in several positions. He’s very versatile and gets on with the job.
“It was down to me to keep playing him as I know what he brings to the club and our squad
“Devonte last week, we looked at the game and the performance in the second half. We analyse it and it wasn’t just Devonte on the pitch. It was the entire group and they all got honest feedback from myself and the management team.
“It’s not just Devonte, I’m like a big brother to everyone. I like my players, I encourage them and support them. I’ll take no criticism from anyone because I know they’re trying and doing their best. Some days it might seem that it’s not enough but that’s not the case.
“He gave us everything last week and this week he gave everything. I hope some of our supporters acknowledge that he put in the work, and he does put in the work every single day in training as well.
“I’ve never had any issues with him, he’s a player who is developing and improving so he’s going to have moments. He’s got his rewards this week.
“I’m the manager and I make the decisions. If the players are doing well as a group and individually, they will play as I see fit. We will manage them right.”
Maidstone reached the Second Round during the 2019/20 season when they lost 3-1 at Blackpool.
It’s their best run since then and Elokobi was keen that players and supporters both saviour the achievement.
“The last time we got to the Second Round was four years ago,” he noted. “We saw this as an occasion for the football club and our fans.
“I’m delighted for us to get into the Second Round, it means a lot for our club and the owners. There are days where you take it for granted but we’ve played four games to get this stage, and against good opposition as well.
“Chesham gave us another tough game and that’s all credit to them and their management team, and we wish them the best in their league for the rest of the season.
“It’s important we look at the magnitude of our win, what it’s going to do to our club in terms of our fanbase. They’re going to be rewarded, hopefully with a good tie.
“I don’t know if we’re going to be at home or away but we’re in the hat for the next round and that’s the most important thing for us.
“I want our fans to enjoy this, it is for them as much as it is for our group of players.
“It was a great FA Cup tie. We knew we were up against a good team, especially at home. We grew in confidence as the game wore on, we controlled territory and possession. Then, in the second half we needed that second goal to kill the game off.”
