I am not going to rush into things, says Maidstone United boss Jay Saunders

MAIDSTONE UNITED manager Jay Saunders says he is experiencing a slow summer transfer market. 

Saunders, who kept his club in the Vanarama National League last season, has been speaking to his current squad members and has been trying to bring in fresh blood.

The Stones finished in the bottom six last season with 54 points from their 46 league outings, six points clear of the relegation zone which saw Woking, Torquay United, Chester and Guiseley lose their top-flight status.

“I am pleased with where the squad is just now.  The ones we wanted to keep, we’ve managed to and I am still talking to three of last year’s,” Saunders said on www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

“At the moment, Alex Wynter is looking elsewhere but we’ve made him an offer for next season.

“We’re still in discussions with Alex Finney.  I was hoping to have had something more concrete with him last week but it’s taking a little bit longer as he’s got a lot of interest. We’re working on that one and keeping our fingers crossed.

“Jamar Loza is another we’re in talks with, again, it’s just a case of coming to an agreement.

“If we can get those two or even three, we can add around that.

“With regards to new players, I am speaking to a number of them and had good meetings in the last week since I got back from holiday.

“One thing I am not going to do is rush into things.

“What we’ve got now is a good core of nine or ten players and I want to add to that with some real quality.

“I know it’s frustrating for people who want new signings but it’s been a relatively quiet transfer window so far.

“Most managers and agents I’ve spoken to have said how slow it is but I can assure you we are working on it and when the right ones become available or we think they are the right deals – as a whole package – not just for us but for the player, we’ll get them done.

“I have to make sure whoever we get in this time are the right ones and we’re not having to make loads of changes mid-season.

“I would like to go in at the start of the season with the players who will see us through, so we get that continuity.” 

Meanwhile, Dover Athletic have lost central defender Manny Parry, 24, to their Vanarama National League rivals Boreham Wood and striker Ryan Bird, 30, has signed for Maidenhead United, who are preparing for their second campaign in the top-flight.

Article published:  21:30 – Wednesday 13 June 2018