Caretaker boss George Elokobi says it’s not all doom and gloom at Maidstone.

The Stones are bottom of the National League after nine successive defeats but Elokobi is working hard to keep spirits high on the training ground.

They face a huge task to stay in the division, sitting seven points from safety having played more games than everyone around them, but Elokobi’s belief in his players in unshakeable.

Maidstone visit fellow strugglers Yeovil on Saturday (3pm), desperate for a win to get their survival bid going.

“There’s plenty of points to play for,” said Elokobi, whose side have 16 games remaining.

“It’s not all doom and gloom - trust me.

“The players are extremely happy and that’s our philosophy, to ensure we provide this positive environment for the players to flourish and develop.

“We aren’t down until it’s mathematically impossible.

“Our next project is to prepare the players for Yeovil and get them ready.

"Keep the faith. We strongly believe in the squad and we will keep driving them and pushing them to excel and give us their max.”

Management has held no surprises for Elokobi, who’s been in charge for three weeks.

The former club captain has thrown himself into the challenge of trying to revive the Stones’ fortunes and will continue to give everything for the cause.

“I’m enjoying it and we’re enjoying it as a management team,” said Elokobi, who turned 37 on Tuesday.

“Every week, we are getting stronger as a management team. It’s a challenge, yes, but a challenge we relish.

“We’re going to keep going and keep supporting each other so we can get the best out of each other and out of the squad.

“That’s our job and I think we’re doing pretty well at this moment in time.

“I’ve never doubted myself. We’ve never doubted ourselves.

“We know what we can bring as a management team so when that call came, I’ve been ready for a long time and I’ve been quiet about it.

“You take it one day at a time, you analyse and you move on to the next day.

“You listen to everyone around you and we make decisions as a group.

“There might be some disappointed players from time to time in terms of missing out.

“However, it’s our job to make sure we pick them up and keep driving them to be the best version of themselves.”

Goalkeeper Tom Hadler - although now injured again - and striker James Alabi are two players who have been back in the picture under Elokobi.

Forgotten man Jack Cawley is another, making the matchday squad, although he’s yet to play.

“We’ve come in and given everyone a clean slate to ensure everyone can flourish from a positive environment,” said Elokobi.

“James has been working hard and getting his rewards.

"We pick the team based on the opposition we’re coming up against, including the bench.

“If you look into it, you’ll see there have been a lot of personnel changes from a tactical point of view.

"It’s good to see James at the moment getting those minutes and trying to showcase what he can do and long may it carry on.

"It has to come from the training ground as well because when we put the squad together it’s to ensure that everyone, building up to the game, has done enough to deserve a place on the bench or in the starting line-up. Everyone’s getting a fair shout."