Josh Wright admits the first win under his management could provide the perfect springboard for Ebbsfleet.

The Fleet have gone 14 games without a win in the National League and are on their third manager of the campaign.

Wright could have hardly had a tougher start to his time in charge, facing a rampant Barnet just days after taking the job before illness left him with a depleted side to face another title-chasing outfit in Gateshead.

“I know the results don’t look great but in time they will change,” insisted Wright. “Yes, it’s been challenging and tough but you have to learn from these things.

“You have to keep going and pick yourselves up and I’m confident it will come.

“(That first win) will relieve pressure on the boys and myself, just the feeling around the place.

“As I keep saying, the word’s momentum, and that’s what we will get. Once we get one and we start to see it and feel it, the confidence and belief is there even more, that’s when the results will start to follow.

“That first win, obviously, is going to be big and we want it sooner rather than later.”

The Fleet travel to Southend on Boxing Day, looking for their first away win of the season.

Southend have only won once in their last seven games and have failed to score in five of those matches.

“We will be a lot stronger in numbers, strength and fitness come Boxing Day,” said Wright.

“Southend is a big club at this level, I’ve played there and know what it’s all about.

“We need to embrace it. There will be a big crowd, it’s a proper football stadium and a proper club.

“It could be the game that kickstarts our season. I loved playing on Boxing Day and I’ve got a good record on Boxing Day.

“The boys will be fully focused, it will be a tough game and they will probably be a bit more direct than the last two opponents.

“We will have to roll our sleeves up, dig in and scrap and hopefully we can get a result.”

As for Christmas Day, the Fleet boss was due to decide at the start of the week whether he brings the squad in for training or lets them tick over at home.

He’s done both options as a player, winning by doing both methods.

“I’ve done both over the years, I’ve probably been more successful being off but have still won games when I’ve come in,” said Wright.

“It’s a conversation that needs to be had because of the week we’ve had with injuries, illness and fatigue. We’re in Monday and Tuesday and will work it out.

“I’m big on family and players being happy so I have to work out if it is worth it, shall I do it or not? That’s a decision that we will make as a group of staff but the sole focus is to get ready for Monday and go from there.”