Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb says harmony between players and supporters will be vital in battle for promotion from National League South

Manager Dennis Kutrieb believes Ebbsfleet’s players and fans need to be singing from the same sheet during the promotion run-in.

With 13 games remaining, the chase for honours in National League South is hotting up but Ebbsfleet cannot afford another drop in form.

Kutrieb feels they need to stick together because there are enough people from outside the club hoping they fail.

“As a club we need to stay tight together,” stated Kutrieb.

“There are enough people that are not on our side that want to see us make mistakes or not win our games.

“We need to make sure we stay as a team, with the fans, with everyone in the club because then you can win things (rather than) try to criticise or moan about things.

“That’s similar for me as a manager - you can imagine after we lost to Havant and Slough that I was the biggest critic for the boys anyway.

“So what they need (from the fans) is a lift, and a push forward. They get criticised by me. I know what they are able to do, I see them every day.

“If they don’t do it then of course I tell them. But on Saturday against Eastbourne I told them well done as well and gave them a hug to say I’m proud of them. It needs to be the right balance from both ways from my position.

“But from a fans’ point of view, I’d love to see them support them always, win or lose, because that’s what they deserve, they play for us and the badge and they want to succeed.”

Last Saturday’s 2-0 home success over Eastbourne came on the back of a run of just two league wins in seven games for Ebbsfleet.

That run has left the Fleet playing catch-up and, while expectations would have been for them to be battling for top spot at this stage of the campaign, Kutrieb was keen to take a realistic approach.

“Of course you