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Ebbsfleet manager Kevin Watson says away fixtures in National League can play to side's advantage

Manager Kevin Watson believes Ebbsfleet’s run of away games could work perfectly for their survival bid.

The Fleet play three of their next four matches away from home, starting with Stockport on Saturday and then Barnet on Tuesday night in the National League.

Ebbsfleet boss Kevin Watson Picture: Sean Aidan
Ebbsfleet boss Kevin Watson Picture: Sean Aidan

They’ve won all three away matches under Watson’s stewardship and the Fleet boss thinks their style of play is ideal for life on the road.

“The two away games in quick succession don’t faze us,” said Watson. “I don’t see why we can’t go there and get points.

“We’ve won at Sutton and Chorley, and Woking in the FA Cup.

“We might be suited better to playing away from home when teams come onto us and we can utilise our pace. It’s worked like that already.

“I’ve said to the players to be proud of the run you’re on and if anyone takes anything off you, then make sure they’ve got to work extremely hard to do so.

“I’m proud of everyone in our dressing room, we’re showing how badly we want to fight for this cause and to get out of the trouble that we are in at the moment.”

Whatever Watson is saying at the moment is clearly working with his squad.

Forced into many changes against Hartlepool last weekend, the Fleet showed amazing character to hit back for a point with 10 men.

It was a particularly sweet moment for Watson, whose calm approach to the second half paid dividends – even if he didn’t expect it to happen.

“To get out of it with a point was beyond what I thought we could do,” said Watson.

“We were booed off a bit at half-time and rightly so. To produce that, for me as a coach and a manager, that is as good as it’s ever been for me.

“It makes you proud that they are running, they’re not stopping and they are putting their bodies on the line – like the two magnificent blocks at the end.

“They are listening and carrying out what we’ve asked them to do to the absolute letter.

“Everyone that knows the game will appreciate that although it’s a point and we’ve not won at home since I’ve been here, every point is a point towards safety.”

Watson has confirmed that Tristan Lewis has been appointed assistant manager and Craig Lewis will continue to work as fitness coach.

“Tristan is here while I’m here,” said the Fleet boss. “He has a lot of other stuff going on outside of this club so he’s in when he can be in.

“It works well for him and Craig. You don’t play 50 minutes with 10 men and get back into the game to draw 2-2 if your fitness isn’t good.”

Josh Umerah is suspended after his red card against Hartlepool and Fleet were dealt a further blow on Tuesday afternoon when injury-hit Charlton recalled Albie Morgan from his loan spell.

Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent

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