Maidstone

[SKIPPER]

A club in turmoil. Goalkeeper recalled by parent club Lincoln and replaced by Suttons' bench-warmer also on loan.Brought in a youth loan centre-back from Brentford where he has yet to make the first team. Leading striker out for 4-6 weeks injured and another regular suspended Saturday after picking up his 5th yellow card last weekend. Will we take advantage or resort to the old Barrow ? Hopefully the former to push on.

[Suffolk Blue]

A club in turmoil. Goalkeeper recalled by parent club Lincoln and replaced by Suttons' bench-warmer also on loan.Brought in a youth loan centre-back from Brentford where he has yet to make the first team. Leading striker out for 4-6 weeks injured and another regular suspended Saturday after picking up his 5th yellow card last weekend. Will we take advantage or resort to the old Barrow ? Hopefully the former to push on.

If you want another telling stat: Jay Saunders sacked after a reasonable start to the season and replaced from the lower leagues by one Harry Wheeler who was subsequently trumpeted by the Maidstone board as a "genius" from which time the Stones form has nosedived. Averaging less than a goal per game, the majority of which have come from Blair Turgot (who regularly scores against us) and is, as you say Skipper, out for a good 6 weeks. Their other absentee, Cassidy, is also one of their more highly rated players. Their goalkeeping problem stems from their long term keeper Lee Worgan disappearing off soon after Saunders lost his job amid mumurings of financial problems. Pity as they are a pretty good club with decent supporters and a very tidy ground - though I hate the plastic pitch. We are the only side they have beaten at home this season. I was there and like Ebbsfleet it was a travesty with BAFC dominating from box to box but with no end result and one calamatous mistake by Jameson gifting them a goal.

So you are right Skipper now is the time to play them. This is one that you dont want the weather to spoil. Apparently since the change of management, they've adopted a more direct style of play so may set up more like an old Cox inspired BAFC team. Clearly without a target man up front this is going to be something of a challenge for them. But they are (or were) quite solid units at the back. Key will be to get in front.

As our next (league) games after satuirday are Solihull (a); Fylde (h); Salford (h); and Fylde (a) a win would be important in keeping our points to games ratio solidly in the black. However the usual warnings regarding take care not to underestimate a "wounded beast" apply.

[Tommy]

Maidstone are a work in progress. Definitely no financial worries; we leave that to our friends from the nearby railway station/theme park. The mini cup run should pay for the revolving door of players. The Saunders thing was painful as he is Mr Maidstone, but in truth, after two years of struggling in the National League, another poor start saw owners lose patience. Some of Jay's poor summer signings are now plying their trade a level below. Harry Wheeler talks a good game, cleared out the dross, tightened the defence and played very deep, while increasing fitness and workrate. At times it has worked with tight wins. At times it has fallen apart. After a couple of heavy defeats, more new players have come in and there is talk of playing long ball. Really don't know which Maidstone will turn up at yours. If we can only break out of our own half and get the ball to strikers, we might do well. Need Blair Turgott back. But nobody is predicting an away win.

[Matty]

History and sod's law tells you this will be one that falls Maidstone's way.

[Suffolk Blue]

History and sod's law tells you this will be one that falls Maidstone's way.

Actually Maidstone and D&R aside our results against the "right" teams so far this season have been pretty good. Wins at home versus Havant, Braintree, Chesterfield and Maidenhead and wins away at Dover, Aldershot and Braintree.

The abject performance against Eastleigh still leaves a nasty taste in the mouth but I think some of that was down to their form and obvious superiority on the day. The introduction of Augustien and Blyth have definitely made a difference in the last few games, giving us a cutting edge in midfield and some physicality up front.

As with Maidstone it will depend upon whether we turn up but having taken 7 points out of 9 I would suggest we suspend the pessimism. I will make the journey for the game and would hope that recent results pull in a few stragglers. Thanks to Northern Rail I doubt you'll see many from Maidstone there and if the faithful dont return we could be staring at our lowest gate of the season.

[Colin Appleton]

Suffolk Blue full marks for making the trip to Holker Street. I didn't realise southern based fans were regulars at home games I thought you only did the "down south" circuit.

[Hitthebar22]

I expect the predicted weather to play a big part v Maidstone. Can’t recall a home game this season in a gale, but one is destined for HS on Saturday afternoon. Tends to make games unattractive on the eye, and a bit of a lottery. Fingers crossed for a win.

[Suffolk Blue]

Suffolk Blue full marks for making the trip to Holker Street. I didn't realise southern based fans were regulars at home games I thought you only did the "down south" circuit.

Xmas run. In-laws have always lived in the Fylde area. The secret to a happy marriage is to reach an agreement early on in the relationship that visits to the in-laws are to be encouraged as long as they take place on the weekend of a home game.

[Holkerbird]

Suffolk Blue full marks for making the trip to Holker Street. I didn't realise southern based fans were regulars at home games I thought you only did the "down south" circuit.

Our southern exiles make many trips to Holker St over a season. Angela always attends the first home game of the season at least. Brendan our former Cardiff fan and now a Bluebirds convert seems to attend each home game from the Principality. The National Supporters branch hold their annual meeting at HS. Si Nichols has even moved closer to HS--well Lancaster--so is expected to be in frequent attendance.
They serve us well.

[Jonty]

This is going to be a tough game. Into that time of year when the weather plays its part. They will be direct so we’ve got to be ready for that physical aerial battle and stopping them playing the long passes.

[Alhosk]

Anyone seen Phil Rowlands?

[JammyBluebird]

Just signed Jake Robinson from Billericay. Just the 57 goals for them...

[Matty]

Can't make this one, which should be a good thing in terms of result!

[mickmike wilson]

Really tough set of fixtures coming up so 3 Ltd here would be a massive boost to everyone involved with the club, In our past history we’d loose a game like this when most pointers indicate a home win the Footy gods mess us around, Don’t care how we do it just Win this game....