Maidstone United striker Jonny Edwards has no time for negativity
06:00, 06 August 2019
updated: 08:40, 06 August 2019
Jonny Edwards says Maidstone will block out negative comments.
One angry fan let rip with repeated cries of "justify your wages" as players made their way off the pitch following the 2-1 defeat by Weymouth on Saturday.
Head of football John Still broke off from his post-match interviews to invite the supporter to apologise, to which he replied: "If you don't get paid, I'll apologise."
Justin Amaluzor was the only survivor from last season as Maidstone started their National South campaign with a new side.
They need time to find their feet - certainly more than one game.
Striker Edwards, who set up Amaluzor's goal with a terrific run, said: "Those people, you kind of have to ignore.
"They're entitled to their opinion but we don't want any negativity in our team or anywhere around us, so we just block that out and go again, learn from our mistakes and take the positives out of the game.
"I've never heard that after the first game of the season with a brand-new team.
"I can't really comment. If that's his opinion, that's his opinion but we're doing everything we can in training.
"We've just got to keep positive and it's only the first game."
The fan's actions - roundly criticised on social media - didn't worry Still, either.
He said: "When I went to Luton I had 7,000 people on me because we didn't win for six games and then we won 27 and won the league."
Edwards moved back south to join Maidstone after three years in Yorkshire with Hull City and FC Halifax.
He feels his game will benefit from returning home and he impressed Still against Weymouth with his work rate and contribution to Amaluzor's strike.
Edwards said: "That's fundamental. First and foremost you've got to work hard and get yourself into the game and do what you do best.
"I've been up north for three years so it's good to get home and be with the family and take your mind off things a little bit more.
"I think personally that will help me to play my best football.
"It's always nice to know you're going back to your family most days and can take your mind off things.
"That's really important, win, lose or draw."
Edwards was at Peterborough when he first came to Still's attention.
The Stones boss, then in charge at Luton, kept an eye on him and was delighted to bring him to the Gallagher.
Edwards said: "Anyone wants their manager to be confident in them.
"It makes things a bit easier for you and your understanding of what he wants you to do is easier, so you can go out there and do it on the pitch.
"If I don't score the goals I will be involved in them.
"I will do my part to get as many goals as I can and help the team get up the league and get promotion."
Maidstone visit Welling tonight, the Wings having drawn 1-1 at title favourites Havant on Saturday.
Edwards said: "You've got to be patient and bear with us because we're working hard every single day on the training field.
"You could see out there we're working hard but games are won by small margins and if we can tighten up on that, I think we'll go a long way, especially with the bond and the team spirit.
"We want to work hard for John and one another, so it's good."
