More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
There's plenty more to come from Iffy Allen at Maidstone.
The midfielder accepts he hasn't been at his best since joining from Braintree over the summer.
But he's ready to change all that after scoring his first Stones goal in the FA Cup win over Cheshunt.
He hadn't started a match since the third game of the season, reduced to a bit-part role from the bench or not featuring at all.
Allen said: "If I'm honest with myself, I haven't been at my best.
"I started the season in the team but the manager makes decisions and you have to get on with it.
"I'm happy to get back in and score my first goal.
"I've been trying since the start of the season to get one.
"It was a tap-in but they all count.
"I played OK, not great, but we got the job done and we just need to keep improving.
"Goals mean prizes and I'd like to think I'm training well, so hopefully I can stay involved.
"I think we've got a good squad and every player is going to play a vital part.
"I'm positive - all the boys are positive."
There were a few nerves before Allen's return - but that's nothing new.
He added: "I'm always nervous before a game but nerves are good.
"Once you get out on that pitch you just concentrate on the game and block everything out. You get tunnel vision.
"When you get a foul or a crunching tackle you hear the crowd but it's just for a split-second."
Allen's move to the Gallagher saw him reunited with his old Braintree boss, Hakan Hayrettin.
The Stones head coach can be tough on him at times but Allen understands why.
He said: "It's good being with Hakan but because he knows what I can do, he's a bit hard on me. That's the game.
"I won't go into what a Hak rollicking is like but he lets you have it, 100%.
"He's very passionate and it's good to have a manager with so much passion because it spreads through the whole team."
