Honest Ebbsfleet manager Harry Watling refused to defend his players after their second-half capitulation on Saturday.

The Fleet shipped six goals to Solihull Moors as they suffered their biggest home defeat for 33 years.

It was a stark contrast to the first half which, admittedly with a numerical advantage for long periods, the Fleet had dominated.

“I’m gobsmacked, I’m livid,” said Watling. “I’ve spoken to the players and been really clear in terms of what I’ve tried to do which I think is the right thing since I’ve been here, which is come out and protect them and take it on the chin.

“All the things that are being said, whether it’s media or fans, I’ll wear it (as) I’m the manager. I’m not having that.

“For me it was about do not start (the second half) slow because I felt they were there for the taking. Every single time the ball went up the other end we looked slow, we looked a little bit off it, we looked scared.

“I can’t accept players not running around on the football pitch and I won’t accept that.

“So, I’ve had a strong conversation with the players and just said to them in no uncertain terms, I won’t be going out to defend you this week which I have done (before) because ultimately our work throughout the week is extremely detailed.

“We give them everything, we try and make them feel like they’re two or three leagues above in terms of what we give them.

“I’m sick and tired of doing the same interview, repeating the same things and it’s becoming a little bit of a running joke now, oh you’ve said they’ve trained well, and they’ve turned out and done that which I totally agree with.

“They walked the ball in the goal, let’s not dress it up and not try to protect people or protect my job. Let’s just say it as it is, they walked the ball in the goal and they did it twice.

“In terms of structure and set-up, set-plays are really simple. Do you want to go and head it more than him and then when they get it on the edge of their box just foul him and stop the attack.

“I’m so disappointed, so angry, I have to measure myself but it’s a bad day.

“I’ve been really honest and said unfortunately for you I will be here Monday morning and I’ll be ready, prepared for the next game and getting you ready for the next game. It’s not going to be nice next week for anybody because the reality is we’ve been done at home in the second half by that many goals, and they cannot think that’s acceptable.

“It was a brilliant atmosphere, it’s the best I’ve heard it and we’ve got to give them something back. We need more from everybody and if you think you’ve given everything, go again.

“It’s not in my vocabulary to give up, unfortunately some people might want me to but I won’t be jacking it in. we need more of that on the pitch as we’re here to fight and dig in.”

The end result didn’t seem feasible after a much-improved first half from Ebbsfleet who had already created a couple of early chances before Solihull’s James Clarke was shown a red card after just five minutes for a high boot on Kwame Thomas.

There was lots to be positive about in the Fleet’s first-half display but Watling was left questioning his players by the final whistle after a horror second-half showing.

“You look at the first half, it’s the best we’ve started, it’s the best we’ve played,” he continued.

“The referee makes the game really different to what both teams prepared for early, he could not wait to even it up. We didn’t get one decision after the red card and he was really quick to (send off Davies). It was a big momentum shift.

“Football’s got a real brilliant brutality to humble you. I felt that we’d turned the corner two weeks ago because I saw a bit more snap in how we’re pressing and a bit more purpose in how we’re passing.

“We got to half-time and absolutely by no means did I say to my players that we’d cracked. I said do not let this go, make sure we go and win our duels and stick it on them.

“You give yourself no chance in the game when you concede from a set-play again and your own set-play twice and then you miss a penalty. The momentum in the game went lower and lower, and you have to stand on the touchline and you have to wear it and front it because you’re the manager but it’s a really difficult one for me to come out and own.

Report: Ebbsfleet 0-6 Solihull Moors

“I will always do it for my players but I’ve got no words to go and defend you with. I have to go out and question, I question your professionalism, I question your willingness to want to run, I question your willingness to want to play for these people that have been here for 20, 25, 30 years – watched this team good and bad – and what they want is the brilliant basics.

“They want people to run, people to tackle, people to fight and we did that in the first 30-35 minutes, we were first and second to everything and then it was a totally different team. I can’t accept that.”

Ebbsfleet, who are now 10 points away from safety in the National League, are away to AFC Fylde next Saturday.