Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb wants players to enjoy play-off pressure in National League South

Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb has told his players to enjoy being in the thick of the play-offs.

The Fleet are two games away from the National League and will host either Dartford or Chippenham at Stonebridge Road on Sunday.

Ebbsfleet finished the campaign third after beating Chelmsford last Saturday.

There’s been an air of expectation throughout the campaign given Ebbsfleet’s full-time status - but Kutrieb wants his players to embrace the occasion.

“It’s two cup finals - just make sure you’re ready to go,” said the Fleet boss. “Be high energy, be on the front foot, be confident and enjoy that you’re playing in these games.

“I told the boys during the week that if I made a call now, I would get 300 players that would love to play in the semi-final but you’re in it and you deserve to be there so just grab it and enjoy it.

“Sometimes you just have to remind the players that they need to enjoy what they’re doing.

“It’s the best time of the season to enjoy what you do because we play a nice brand of football, we try to do everything right and put so many hours in - not just me or the management team but the players as well.

“They’ve work so hard during the whole season. Now is the time you can play for something and you need to make sure you are ready to go and can grab it.”

Kutrieb believes the games will be won or lost mentally. There’s only so much more they can do physically or tactically.

While the Fleet may have earned plaudits for their expansive attacking play this term, Kutrieb warned that being the best footballing side doesn’t guarantee success.

“We don’t need to talk about the fitness level, our fitness level is outstanding,” said Kutrieb.

“We don’t need to talk about the tactical formations. Both games won’t be