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Maidstone United stand-in captain Jack Paxman says he let himself down against Oldham Athletic

Jack Paxman says he let himself and his manager down in his first game as Maidstone captain.

Paxman, the club's longest-serving player, was handed the armband for Saturday's FA Cup second-round tie against Oldham with Blair Turgott out injured.

He felt he deserved the captaincy after almost four years at the Gallagher Stadium but wasn't happy with his performance in a 2-0 defeat for Harry Wheeler's side.

Proud moment for Jack Paxman as he leads out Maidstone for their FA Cup tie against Oldham Picture: Andy Jones
Proud moment for Jack Paxman as he leads out Maidstone for their FA Cup tie against Oldham Picture: Andy Jones

Paxman said: "I found out about half 1 when the gaffer called me into the office.

"It was nice because he spoke about my recent performances and said that I've done well.

"To be honest, I felt I did probably deserve it. I've been here a long time and I feel like I have been playing well.

"Unfortunately, I've let myself down a little bit and maybe let the gaffer down a little bit with my performance today, which I'm disappointed about.

"I wasn't good enough. I'm big enough and ugly enough to say that and I'm my own biggest critic.

"I know when I've done well and when I've not done well and unfortunately what I offer the team in my attacking ability, my ability to keep the ball in tight areas and create stuff, I didn't do enough. I wasn't good enough at it.

"Even my set-pieces, normally I'm pretty good, but not today."

Paxman doesn't know if the captaincy was a one-off but it was a proud moment to lead out Maidstone.

Jack Paxman wasn't happy with his performance against Oldham Picture: Andy Jones
Jack Paxman wasn't happy with his performance against Oldham Picture: Andy Jones

With Turgott sidelined for up to six weeks with a knee injury, he's happy to carry on if required.

Paxman said: "It was a proud moment for me.

"My mum was here and that's the first time I've walked out at the front with the armband on, so it's quite a nice moment for her too.

"I suppose it is a big thing, especially when I've been here a long time. It's like a reward to me.

"If the gaffer wants me to do it, I'm happy to do it.

"I'm an experienced head now, I can say that.

"I know I'm only 24 but I've been around long enough now and if he needs me to do it, I can do it.

"But I feel like I can also be a leader in my own personal way without the armband.

"I don't need the armband on to do that, so I'm happy to let someone else do it if that's what the gaffer wants."

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