Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb insisted that losing has not become a habit for his team.

The Fleet have lost six of their last eight games in all competitions, including their last three league games in National League South - most notably the 4-1 Boxing Day massacre by rivals Dartford at Stonebridge Road.

Kutrieb wasn’t opening the champagne bottles when Fleet started the season with nine straight league wins so he’s not going to press the panic button when his team are going through a tough spell.

“I can’t see it has become a habit, that’s so negative,” said Kutrieb. “I can’t see a negative thing for us and our players knowing how they are as characters.

“I can’t see it could become a habit because they are far too good in their own individual approach and how they live and see football. I’m not concerned about a habit of losing games.”

It’s easy to suggest that the Fleet were lacking confidence as they trailed 3-0 inside 11 minutes, and then 4-1 at half-time against their rivals.

Too many cheap free-kicks were given away, the Fleet’s intricate passing game never clicked and they looked a long way off their best.

Kutrieb explained: “The game was done before we even started, after one minute with the decision (not to award a foul on Fleet skipper Chris Solly) and then the goal. It was three shots, three goals, it’s not happening again. It was unlucky for us.

“Dartford were the much better side if I reflect over the 90 minutes, they had more chances in the second half, not us. They had more confidence on the day and that can happen if you’re three goals down after 10 minutes.

“In general, I wouldn’t say we are lacking in confidence.”

Ebbsfleet dropped to second in the table but still have three games in hand on Dartford, who are now three points clear.

The Darts also made a dent in the Fleet’s superior goal difference. But Kutrieb hopes his team come back firing, with Chris Solly and Greg Cundle returning from injury on Boxing Day.

“For every single defeat there are reasons,” reflected Kutrieb. “I can see exactly what is happening.

“We had 10 games and nine wins and even then, I wasn’t overly excited and saying everything is perfect. This was not the case and that’s still not changing.

“We had many injuries and they are coming back now which I’m happy about, they needed a game and they will be much better in the next game.”

Kutrieb insisted his players were hurting just as much as the fans after they were torn apart on their own ground by Dartford.

It was a first win at Stonebridge Road in a league game since 1979 for the Darts, and the first time they’ve hit four goals in the fixture since 1971.

The good news for Kutrieb is that Ebbsfleet get the chance to set the record straight with the return match at Princes Park on New Year’s Day (3pm).

“It’s not just the fans, it hurts us as well,” added the Fleet boss.

“The good thing about football, and a bad thing in a way, is if you want to celebrate you don’t have the time and it’s the other way round now.

“The good thing is it’s the same opponent that hurt you a few days earlier. I really like this idea, we definitely will do better in the next game.”