Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb says forward Dominic Poleon's improved work ethic makes him a pivotal player

Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb says striker Dominic Poleon is no longer a luxury player in his team.

The 28-year-old striker has scored five goals in six games to help the Fleet maintain a 100% record in National League South.

Poleon is clearly back in favour with the Fleet boss after spending the majority of the second half of last season on the bench.

“Dom had an outstanding pre-season, he changed his whole attitude massively, his work-rate has turned around 80%,” explained Kutrieb.

“It’s completely different to last season and he works so hard for the team now. Last season he was kind of a luxury player when he wanted to do the nice things going forward and scoring goals. Don’t get me wrong, that’s his job as well.

“But in this league you have to do the other side of the work as well, the dirty work we call it in Germany. He’s delivering this since pre-season so he’s changed. I told him when we extended his contract that if he changes his work-rate off the ball, he’s a massive player and no one can stop him.”

Those words have clearly had the desired effect and Poleon’s influence is obvious for all to see on the field.

He’s also a great character away from the pitch according to the Fleet boss.

“It’s all about the team, that’s right, but in the changing room he is massive,” said Kutrieb.

“Everyone is good with him and he has a good influence in there. I told him, if you change then you’ll change the whole mentality on the pitch for everyone.

“It’s similar to Luke O’Neill, for example, he has a winning mentality and doesn’t want to lose one header, he wants to score goals, he wants to win games and you could see that at Eastbourne and at Weymouth.

“We’ve made a few good signings and then changed the work-rate from some