Saunders not amused with ‘Clown’ Wheeler

Jay Saunders was clearly not happy with new Maidstone Manager Harry Wheeler claiming that he was handed over a mess at Maidstone United when he took the reigns in September.

In an interview that featured on Kent Online Wheeler says he inherited a mess when he took over the job.

Wheeler has made wholesale changes since succeeding Jay Saunders but results have got worse.

After winning two of his first three games, one win in the next 10 has left United four points from safety in the National League.

They’re second-bottom after losing at Barrow last weekend, a match which saw three more players make their debuts.

Fans are already divided on Wheeler, just three months into his reign, but the former Billericay manager says he knew what he was walking into.

Asked if he was finding the job tougher than expected, Wheeler said: “No, because I looked at it and I knew what a mess it was in.

“I think you see probably by the amount of players that went out to teams in the league below and they’re now not playing. I think that gives you an idea.

“The majority that went out are now not playing or clubs are asking to send them back, so you see what a mess it was in.

This prompted a Twitter reaction from Saunders saying ‘Absolute Clown‘. The comments that followed that status by fans and people around the game showed that everyone was clear in who the Maidstone Legend was referring too, and most seemed to back him and his thoughts on the new boss.

Wheeler is sure to shrug off any negative reaction coming his way and concentrate on saving Maidstone from relegation. He feels that he will get there.

“I look at the squad now, it’s very good.

“We just need to start getting a continuity with it.”

Wheeler isn’t one for looking at the league table but he’s well aware of Maidstone’s position.

He’s concerned but is confident results will improve.

He said: “I think you’re a fool if you’re not worried at all but we’ve just got to stick together and keep pushing.

Jay Saunders is still to decide on his next job within the game but it is unlikely that he will be away from the action for too much longer.

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