Table-topping Maidstone United are not getting the credit they deserve for their fantastic start to the season.

That’s the view of manager Jay Saunders, who wants the Stones supporters to build up his players rather than dismissing their opponents as “rubbish.”

Maidstone beat Canvey Island 5-2 on Saturday and followed that up with a 2-0 win at AFC Hornchurch on Tuesday, a result which moved them above Margate.

They’ve taken 21 of a possible 24 points in the Ryman League Premier Division but sections of the support are taking Saunders’ side for granted.

He said: “A lot of people are winding me up because everyone I speak to doesn’t talk about how well we’re playing. If we win, the other team were rubbish and if we lose, like we did at Tonbridge, it’s because we were rubbish.

“It annoys me because in the first half against Canvey, we were good. It’s not so much for me, it’s for the players.

“They go in the bar after the game and hear the supporters say ‘well, the other team were rubbish.’ You can see the players’ faces drop and they start talking about it.

“They’ve started the season by winning seven out of eight games and deserve more credit than what they’re getting."

Maidstone can cement top spot with victory at Enfield on Saturday before a big game at the Gallagher on Tuesday night when the Stones host promotion rivals Kingstonian.