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Maidstone United defender Ryan Johnson slams performance at Weymouth and says it's time to stand up and be counted

Ryan Johnson described Maidstone's performance at Weymouth as shambolic and has vowed to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Johnson gave away two penalties - one converted, the other saved - and scored an own goal as the Stones were thrashed 5-1 on Saturday.

Maidstone United defender Ryan Johnson Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone United defender Ryan Johnson Picture: Steve Terrell

Head coach Hakan Hayrettin apologised to supporters after the game and Johnson wasn't about to go hiding after a fourth defeat on the spin left Maidstone eight points off the National South play-off places.

"It was absolutely shambolic from us as players today," said Johnson.

"I'm lost for words but I'm big enough and ugly enough to stand up and be counted and make sure this doesn't happen again.

"Everyone in there, we know for sure that it's not good enough, we've let everyone down from the manager to the fans that have travelled, we let ourselves down.

"Even lately when we've been losing it's been nothing like that, but that was shambolic. I'm gobsmacked.

"The last thing you want to do when you've got a tough away game is give away an early goal and we just folded, capitulated, like we didn't know what we were doing.

"I just don't know what it is. I know what we're capable of but there's no point in me saying that, we've got to show it.

"It hurts me. I care. People should lose sleep over things like that. It needs to hurt all week.

"We need to realise that can't happen. It's the worst day I've had in football by a mile.

"I've lost 7-0 before when I was at Corinthian in the FA Cup and I didn't feel like that.

"Give Weymouth credit, they played well but they missed two penalties, I've given away two penalties and they could have won eight or nine - terrible.

"We need to pick ourselves up for next week, badly."

Ryan Johnson delivered a brutally honest assessment of Maidstone's defeat at Weymouth Picture: Steve Terrell
Ryan Johnson delivered a brutally honest assessment of Maidstone's defeat at Weymouth Picture: Steve Terrell

Maidstone could do with a win at home to Welling this weekend and Johnson and his team-mates are determined to deliver.

He said: "We need to stand up and be counted, we need to grow up quick because, let's have it right, we can still get in the play-offs.

"I know our form has been terrible result-wise but if we pick it up and we grow up, it's still possible.

"Don't get me wrong, it's difficult and people will think I'm stupid but it is still possible.

"It can soon change if we string two or three wins together but we've been struggling for consistency all year.

"We can't go any lower now, can we?

"What can be worse than that performance? We had 11 men on the pitch, it's not like we had anyone sent off.

"So, our next game, it's simple, it can't get any worse, let's pull together and go and get a result against Welling.

"Welling are doing all right, it won't be easy but the home fans expect a lot more and we expect a lot more and we are going to get a result.

"The managers don't need to say anything. It will come from within this week.

"We've got 11 games left and that's a lot of points to play for. We've just got to believe."

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent

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