Ebbsfleet Encourage Their New Manager After A Flying Start

The new manager bounce was in evidence on Saturday as the club recorded their first victory of a frustrating campaign, ending their eight-game winless run by defeating Hartlepool United.

Watling replaced Danny Searle in the Kufflink Stadium dug-out last week and has made an instant impression.

He challenged match-winning striker Rakish Bingham to keep coming up with the goods and after meeting fans for the first time, the 34-year-old is clearly already feeling at home.

But he said the good start is just that - and knows the size of the task in hand.

“It’s been an amazing week,” he said, days after being announced as the club’s third manager in 2024.

“The team now have four points from their last two matches and it could have been six. It’s encouraging.

“I know how much work that went on before I arrived here. Danny Searle did fantastic things for this club and he is a good man.

“I have to congratulate the players, they have given the supporters a big lift. Now we have to keep on building and hopefully register some more wins as soon as possible.”

Speaking about Bingham, whose first half goal against Pools was enough for the three points, he said: “He’s a fantastic player and it’s my job to get the best out of him.”

Watling went of to say that this Saturday’s trip to promotion-hunters Sutton United will “really test” the improvement made but feels his players must go to Gander Green Lane believing they can get a good result.

“You have got to play the hand you are dealt,” he went on. “I’m looking forward to the clear week working with the players and I’m looking forward to going to Sutton and pitting ourselves against a side who will be difficult to beat.”