Maidstone United striker Jack Barham says boss Hakan Hayrettin was right to leave him out

Jack Barham says Maidstone manager Hakan Hayrettin was right to drop him.

Barham came off the bench to score the opening goal in last weekend’s 2-0 National League win at Scunthorpe.

His header from Roarie Deacon’s cross was his fourth goal of the season - making him the leading scorer.

Barham’s lost his place to Josh Fawole in recent weeks, last starting a game against Southend on October 25.

The striker, who scored 18 goals in last season’s National South title triumph, has no complaints.

“Watching from the sidelines is not always the best feeling in the world,” said Barham, 26.

“But I’ve been out of form the last few games and the gaffer’s dropped me, and rightly so because we haven’t been winning.

“The thing is I didn’t score in a while and being dropped, sometimes, it can go either way.

“You either go missing for a bit and not really be interested, or you roll your sleeves up, work hard and make sure when you’re called upon you make a difference.

“For me, it’s been a case of work as hard as I possibly can to make sure I do my best for the team.

“I want to be the main man at this football club.

“I’ve got four goals now, so I’m up the top of the scoring charts and I want to stay there.

"It’s about getting as many goals and assists as I can, and helping the team out when we need the ball to stick. I’ve got to be that man.

“I know I’ll always get in the right positions to score goals.

“We’ve been playing a bit longer this season and it’s hard for me because the defenders are big and strong, and if you’re not going to beat them in the air you’ve got to find a way to beat them on the floor.

“That said, I’ve scored my fair share of headers.

“I know I’ve got a good leap and I know I can beat defenders in the air.

“It’s