Ebbsfleet United manager Kevin Watson has called on his players to show controlled aggression in their relegation battle.

Time is running out for the Fleet, who are eight points from safety in the National League with 16 games to play.

But they are not helping their own cause by an alarming lack of discipline which has seen them collect three red cards in their last three matches.

“Are we too nice to play against? Yes,” said Watson.

“There’s aggression in the way you play, aggression in the way you close down, the way you run. But it’s got to be done in the right way.

“It’s an individual problem and it has to be spoken about. I would never send my teams out to kick people, to be sent off, to be nasty. But it’s got to stop.

“We’re not a Man City or Liverpool that can play against anyone with 10 men and still give a good account of ourselves, and possibly win games with 10 men.

“We’re Ebbsfleet and we’re in the National League where everyone is much of a muchness. You can’t play against teams who constantly have an extra man against you.

“I’m not asking people to go out there and kick people but run, use your voice and close down.

“Every Saturday my voice is gone after the game because I’m using my voice for the players that are on the pitch.

“This is the National League, they should be doing it. They should be using their voices, not me – I shouldn’t be playing the game for them.”

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Josh Payne, who had the captain’s armband as skipper Jack King was serving a suspension following a red card, was the latest Fleet player to head for an early bath.

Payne picked up two yellow cards in three minutes during last weekend’s defeat to Harrogate.

“It’s something we’ve got to look to address,” said Watson.

“I am surprised (by Josh’s actions). He is probably frustrated. He didn’t get on the ball a lot, he was doing a lot of defending and tracking runners.

“He is not that type of player. He has apologised and we (the squad) had a decent discussion in there. Things need to change and improve rapidly.”

Frustration was the key word against Harrogate with striker Josh Umerah taking his anger out on a section of the home dugout after being substituted.

Watson added: “He is disappointed he’s come off. It could have been anyone. I changed the shape of what we were trying to do.

“That’s the sort of aggression I’d like to see on the pitch if I’m honest.”

King returns for this Saturday’s trip to unpredictable Torquay, as the division’s two worst defences go head-to-head.

Watson is also hoping talisman Myles Weston returns from injury but the rest of his team selection is far from certain with the manager’s patience wearing thin.

“I was fair and I’ve tried to be fair,” he added. “It’s no good for players to play well and then be left out as they’ll be deflated.

“That’s why I chose to start with the same team (where I can) but that’s not given me a problem in terms of team selection.

“I back those boys to the hilt, I love them and they are great lads but if I put you in the team, do your utmost to stay in it.”

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