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On-loan midfielder Josh Payne is excited by the challenge of helping Ebbsfleet climb the table.
Payne’s deal from League 2 Crawley runs until January 6. What happens then is unknown but he’s really enjoying his time at Stonebridge Road.
“It was my decision to try and get some games,” said Payne.
“The (Crawley) manager wasn’t keen on it but for me on a personal note I had to look at the bigger picture.
“I was sitting there and coming on to play, and not getting a run of games. He respected that.
“I’m on loan until January 6. Until then I am an Ebbsfleet player and I’m more than happy with that.
“I’m excited to see what the next few games bring for us in the league.”
Payne originally came in to work under Garry Hill, who was in charge during his time at Woking. But he knows only too well things can change quickly in football and he is enjoying working under new Fleet boss Kevin Watson.
“I’m really enjoying it,” said Payne. “It’s a great set of lads, that’s a major thing for me – the lads are brilliant.
"We’re all working together to go in the right direction.
“The management fully deserved last week’s news, we’re all striving to move forward together and we’re all on the same page which as a team is the most important thing.
“I worked with Garry at Woking before but that’s what football is like. You don’t know from one day to the next what is going to happen in this industry. You’ve got to stay on your toes.”
Payne is vying for a place at the heart of the Fleet midfield alongside Alex Lawless, Alfie Egan, Frankie Sutherland and on-loan Charlton teenager Albie Morgan.
“There’s great competition in the team now,” said Payne.
“You look at the likes of Frankie who dropped to the bench against Notts County but came on and had an impact, Alfie is in and out and he’s great to play with and then Alex Lawless is a Football League player – I’ve played many games against him and I respect him.”
