Manager Jay Saunders feels it’s still too early to tell whether Maidstone will be a force in National League South.

Improving Stones sit eighth after 10 games and meet second-placed Bath City at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday.

The signs look good with United exciting going forward, while conceding only six goals.

Saunders said: “I think you’re talking 15 games before the league settles down.

"I’m sure there are people in the top five who probably won’t end up there and people in the bottom five who won’t end up there.

“What’s pleased me is we’re 10 games in and I can’t remember a game we’ve not been in. We’ve competed and we’re gradually getting better every week.”

Saunders is enjoying the passing football his side are producing. It’s a change of approach, but Maidstone mustn’t lose the qualities that won the Ryman League Premier Division title.

He said: “It is good to watch but what I think is really important, and what I’ve said to them, is let’s not get away from what we were last season and that was hard to beat."