Maidenhead United players encouraged to have a little self belief

Maidenhead United’s players have been challenged to improve their mental strength and compete for a top 10 place in the Conference South.

Manager Johnson Hippolyte said his players must get out of the mindset that United are a bottom five or six side and said he’d work with them before the season kicks off to improve their self belief.

"We need to build up the players belief a bit," said Hippolyte.

"They have to become mentally stronger and we can help them with that because they need to have confidence in themselves.

"I think there's always a feeling at Maidenhead United that we're going to be one of those teams in the bottom five or six, but I think we're better than that."

Hippolyte says the table didn't lie last season and but for a 'woeful' March, and the sale of Alex Wall to Luton Town, he believes United would 'easily' have finished in the top 10.

"We sold Alex Wall, and then had that month in March which ruined out entire season," he said.

"But the stats don't lie, before Alex went we were headed for a top 10 finish easily.

"If we'd had him in the side we'd have got a couple more wins and that would have pushed us right up the table because it was so close last season.

Hippolyte added: "I don't think that we're a million miles away to be honest. We've managed to keep hold of the players we wanted to, and we've also added four or five players as well.

"I'm looking forward to the new season with confidence, but my only concern is if we get a couple of injuries. We can handle one or two, but more than that and we look a little vulnerable."

Hippolyte said he doesn't expect to make any more big name signings before the start of the season, but expects the club to sign up centre-half Stefan Tomasevic, the 18-year-old 6ft3ins defender, who was at Brentford last season, and midfielder Mo Bettamer, with a view to gradually breaking them into the first team.

Maidenhead travel to Northwood on Saturday for their final pre-season game and Hippolyte said he expects his side to finish their warm up games on a high.

"I want us and expect us to go to Northwood and put on a performance," said the Magpies boss.

"I hope that we'll take our chances in the game and winning breeds confidence, whatever level you play at."

Hippolyte has also been contacted about the possibility of staging a friendly with Wycombe Wanderers at the Chairboy's training ground on Tuesday, but said the fixture hadn't been confirmed between the two clubs.