Daryl McMahon has challenged his Ebbsfleet players to stand up and be counted as they bid to get back on the winning trail.

Fleet have dropped six points in their last three games, having taken the lead in all three but won none.

They’re still unbeaten in National League South but Fleet boss McMahon has been critical of recent performances, promising things will change for the better.

He said: "When it goes against you, you have to stand up and that’s when you see a real leader.

"We need some more men on the pitch to be honest, people that are not scared to make decisions.

"I don’t hear enough voices and I don’t see enough people pulling people about.

"We’ve got a player in Mark Phillips who gives us that and I can’t wait to get him on the pitch. It’s early doors still but we need to improve quickly."

Phillips, who helped Braintree to the National League play-offs last season, is still waiting to make his Ebbsfleet debut.

McMahon said: "We’re just nursing him through the injury. I want him back and to stay back so we’ll make sure that when he comes back in, he can stay in.

"I’ve got no doubt we’ll get stronger as we go along. We’re missing some good players – a lot of players missed the end of pre-season and went straight into the team."

McMahon doesn’t believe there is a fear of failure within his side.

He said: "Maybe that’s something people try to drum up but it’s 11 versus 11, a game of football. What are you going to be scared of?

"Everyone’s going to be frustrated. I’m frustrated and the players are frustrated but in these moments you’ve got to stick together.

"It’s the start of the season, we’ve got players new to the team and players coming back from injury who are going to have a big impact.

"We’re in a different situation this year from last year in terms of budget and lots of other sides have recruited well as well.

"Sometimes you’ve got to cut your cloth accordingly and we’re not the same as we were last year. We’ve got to work hard and stick together and we’ll see where it takes us."

Ebbsfleet travel to Eastbourne on Saturday before returning to Stonebridge Road on Bank Holiday Monday for a Kent derby against Margate.