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Ebbsfleet manager Danny Searle believes they need at least five more wins to secure National League safety.
The Fleet host Woking this evening at Stonebridge Road knowing three points will lift them out of the relegation zone for only the second time since November - and the first since Searle took charge.
The 50-point mark is normally seen as safety in a 46-game season but with just eight points between the sides in 11th and 23rd, the Ebbsfleet boss knows his new team might need more than that figure just to be sure.
The Fleet currently have 35 points from 34 games, with 12 matches left to secure their survival, six at home and six away.
“It's a result, that’s all it is,” stated Searle after their impressive 3-0 home victory over Eastleigh. “We’ve won a game and that’s why, I don’t know if you saw it at the end, I’m dragging people in because it’s ‘hold on’.
“If that’s the points that secured safety at the end of the season then you can go and spend as much time as you want with the fans and your family but we’ve still got stuff to talk about so let’s finish the game properly which is together in the dressing room.
“I want them to enjoy it because it’s been a while since they’ve had that feeling but we have to be realistic about the fact we probably need another five of those out of the last 12 games to make sure mathematically to make us safe. I’m going to say probably eight just to be sure.
“This is a league this season where it could be a lot less than we think but it also could be a lot more. You’ve also got teams now that probably thought they were safe and happy being dragged into the mix so they’re going to step up.
“It’s an exciting league and when we’re not doing the 90 minutes and we’re on the side of the pitch you look at it and it’s an enjoyable experience.
“Matchdays are always a little bit tough because you’re always dictated by how the boys perform when they cross the white line. I was very proud of them but it is only a start.”
National League table
Searle’s positive impact on the Ebbsfleet squad continued against Eastleigh.
The new boss was handed the job permanently last Tuesday but insisted that hasn’t changed anything from his viewpoint.
“We approached it with the confidence that it was going to be ours anyway so, until we were told otherwise, we were the management team at Ebbsfleet,” said Searle.
“I know when things are made permanent, it can be like having a player on loan and you sign him permanently, sometimes it can change the dynamic.
“But we work the way we work, we’re consistent with that and we bring continuity with that. I think the players are thriving with that.”
On the prospect of facing Woking, Searle added: “Huge game - go again. There’s no-one in the league we should fear but they’re all teams we should respect because they’ve got qualities that can hurt us so that’s how we’ll go into the game on Tuesday.”
Searle also confirmed keeper Chris Haigh remains on loan at bottom side Oxford City. He was spotted warming up with Fleet keeper Mark Cousins on Saturday having been left out of Oxford’s squad for the goalless draw with Southend.
“He’s still on loan but we have an agreement that if he isn’t selected for the squad then we can utilise him here but he’s still available to them if they need him,” said Searle.
