Mark Cousins admits he could have had a much easier season by not joining title favourites Ebbsfleet.

On the face of it, the Fleet keeper has one of the best jobs in football between the sticks for a side that have led the way at the top of National League South for most of the season.

But, in reality, the 36-year-old has changed his game under boss Dennis Kutrieb at a time when others may be looking to wind down their careers - and he’s loving every minute.

“I could have gone to another team and it would have been a lot easier just to kick the ball long and get on with the game, and make some saves,” said Cousins.

“At Ebbsfleet I feel challenged and that’s what you want. I don’t want to just see out my career, I want to challenge myself, I want to get better still and coming here has helped me do that.

“We’re judged on clean sheets and goals conceded and we’re just around our target at the moment. But we can always get better defensively. If we do keep clean sheets then 99% of the time we’ll win a game.”

Cousins, whose career has included spells at Colchester, Dagenham and Bromley, has only played a similar style for part of his time at Barnet.

He joined the Fleet from Bromley in the summer and knew exactly what he was letting himself in for.

“It saves my groin and hips from kicking it 40 times a game, which I did at Bromley!” he quipped.

“Every team has a style and that’s the style I was used to at Bromley and previous clubs. To come here and play this style is really rewarding when it comes off, it’s so good on the eye and we’ve scored so many good goals which have started right at the back.

“I had it for a short spell at Barnet under Darren Currie when we played a similar way, but the build-up from the back wasn’t as intense as it is here. I knew exactly what Ebbsfleet were about when I came here and it’s a nice challenge.

“I’m 36 now and I’m being challenged to learn a different style and play a different style so that’s really good. That’s down to the gaffer and the goalkeeping coach teaching me ways that I can get better.

“The way we play is not just keeper kicks it up the pitch and I’m done with it. If we pass the ball out, I’ve got to make sure I’m ready to receive it. The way we play I always seem to be involved in passing the ball rather than just making saves so it keeps me on my toes.”

Cousins feels part of the team and is able to make a more meaningful contribution to the cause when playing out from the back.

He’s also studied Premier League keepers to learn about the role, which Kutrieb suggested would take him six months to get used to.

“I felt by about Christmas time quite confident with it,” said Cousins. “I’m still learning, you can’t stop learning or trying to get better.

“I watch a lot of goalkeepers in the Premier League, the way they play, Arsenal play a similar sort of way with Aaron Ramsdale.

“It’s really good to learn a new way at my age as well. I will always try and keep improving. The gaffer is very supportive. As long as we try to do the right things there’s no criticism, it’s praise.

“You have to be brave to play that way and he gives the team a lot of confidence to do that and that’s really positive, for all players really, knowing that the manager is backing you all the time to play out from the back.

“You feel a lot more part of the team than just taking a goal kick and everyone running away from you, then the ball’s up the other end you’re done with it.

“Of course, at times you do feel under pressure when you’ve got a lot of players closing you down but that’s what I’ve learnt over the last six months, to look for the options when I’m under pressure, to get out.

“We have 24 players that are all on the same page, everyone knows that when a certain player in a position gets it, you have to make an angle and support him. You can’t just run away, and everyone in the team knows that so it’s really good.”

That’s not to say that the Fleet number one doesn’t hear the groans around Stonebridge Road when things occasionally go wrong at the back.

But it’s a case of risk and reward, and he’s happy to roll with the punches.

“I understand football fans,” he added. “They see the risk and they don’t want their team to concede. If they think the ball is further away from the goal that means we won’t concede.

“But for us if we can keep the ball and pass our way through then we can eliminate most of their team and be maybe three on three with their defenders. When it comes off, it looks really good and can be effective.”

Ebbsfleet, who won 3-1 at Bath last Saturday and drew 0-0 at Chippenham on Tuesday night, are nine points clear at the top of standings.

They host Hampton this Saturday before travelling to St Albans on Tuesday night.