I urge the supporters to come and support us over this difficult spell, says Stones boss Peter Nott

Wednesday 18th August 2010

MAIDSTONE UNITED boss Peter Nott says he is looking for midtable security - but wants the backing of the club’s supporters, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Stones survived relegation following the penultimate game of last season and kick-off their new Ryman Premier League campaign with a trip to Harrow Borough on Saturday.

Nott, who is preparing for his first full season in charge of the club, has had a troubled pre-season - with takeover speculation rife and his side winning only one of their ten pre-season friendlies.

“It seems to have been a long pre-season with lots of games and it’s nice to get down to the serious side and we’re very much looking forward to it,” Nott told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I think it’s a difficult one with pre-season. Of course you set out to win every game but in fairness you’re not playing your strongest team, you’re looking at different players at different formations and it becomes disjointed and it’s now it starts.

“Injuries permitting, we’re raring to go. We had a game on Monday night against Sittingbourne and there were nine players missing. The only one that was rested was (goalkeeper) Andy Walker as we didn’t want any accidents happening to him.

“I explained to (Sittingbourne manager) Gary Abbott before the game that we’re not being disrespectful, we’ve got eight people who aren’t just fit too play.

“Those boys will be having treatment around the clock. We’re having two physio’s coming in on Thursday as they’ve got so many people to see and we have to assess those boys and get as many of them fit for Saturday as we can.”

Nott admitted that his side played too many pre-season games.

He said: “They’ve picked up various problems in games and you look back thinking ‘have we played too many games?

“We’ve had 10 games. It’s a difficult one and a lot of them are key players and we hope they come through.”

Looking ahead to the opening game at Harrow Borough, Nott is definitely without defenders James Peacock (2 games) and Jermaine Darlington (three), who are suspended.

“Whatever team we put out we will give a good account of ourselves and these situations give opportunities for some of the younger players to come in and stake a place,” said Nott.

“We obviously know them from last season and they will be a formidable appointment. They finished about four points higher than us last season.

“It’s a difficult one, the league will need a half-a-dozen games before settling down before you start seeing what the teams are doing, how they’ve improved.

“We know we’ll have a physical game down there and we have to be able to compete. We think we’ve got some good flair players in our team but we have to compete and earn the right to play first.”

Tony Dolby brings his Hastings United side to Homelands Stadium next Tuesday and Nott urges for a good turnout from the club’s supporters, despite Ashford being their home for the season ahead.

“We’ve seen Hastings twice during the pre-season so we know they’re a big, strong team,” said Nott.

“The both times we’ve seen them play they’ve set up in a similar pattern so we know that’s going to be a very tough game.

“Looking at their form at the back end of the season, with the signings that they’ve made, they will certainly be one of the challengers this year, certainly on paper, so that will be a good test for us to see how far we’ve come and that will be a very challenging game and a game where we’ve got to be challenging in all areas.”

When asked his aspirations for the season ahead, Nott replied, “Again, it’s a difficult one to answer. We know where we need to be. We want to be in the top half of the table. We had enough looking over our shoulders last season and know how difficult that is when we’re in that situation so we’re looking for a top half finish so we’ll be looking for a good start to the season to help us towards that.”

Nott added: “There’s a lot going on with the club with proposed takeovers and that will be dealt with. We try to deflect that from the boys. Those talks continue but I urge the supporters to get behind us. We know the common goal is to get back to Maidstone. Until that happens we really do need the supporters to get behind us. It’s important for the boys. Our away support last year was much more vocal and louder than at home.

“I urge the supporters to come and support us over this difficult spell.”

Meanwhile, Maidstone United chairman Paul Bowden-Brown has today issued a brief update on the takeover discussions with David Folb and Glenn Aitken.

The chairman told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk: "I have received an informal proposal which outlined a takeover offer. I have spoken to the shareholders, who are currently on holiday, and have arranged a shareholders meeting early next week to discuss the proposal formally.

"We are all keen to consider the offer, while ensuring that any transfer of ownership complies with the new regulations set out by the Football Association."

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Harrow Borough v Maidstone United

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 21st August 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Earlsmead, Carlyon Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 8SS