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Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb admitted the best thing about their FA Trophy exit was that no-one was injured.
The Fleet host League 1 Fleetwood in the FA Cup Second Round next Sunday lunchtime at Stonebridge Road, live on ITV, and the Trophy clash was probably a game they could have done without.
It showed as Ebbsfleet lost 1-0 at home to Eastbourne, their second successive loss, and all eyes are now looking forward.
“We tried to do a few things which we want to do next week as well,” said Kutrieb.
“From this point of view it was good, some players had a good performance, some players had a not good performance, but that’s what you can expect if you play with players who haven’t played for a long time and we give them a chance to get some minutes.
“The most important thing was no-one got injured and we can prepare eight days for the next game.
“The boys that played were not thinking about it. In general, many people at the club are because it’s exciting times for us.
“It shouldn’t have been the case (for the players) because the next game is always the most important game.”
Ebbsfleet were the last professional team in England to suffer a defeat this season, losing to Tonbridge in National League South last weekend.
Kutrieb admitted it’s a strange situation that they find themselves in, but a timely reminder that they need to be on top of their game.
“I would say we let one situation for the set-piece where we needed to defend better, otherwise it’s a 0-0 draw and we go to penalties,” noted the Fleet boss.
“That’s the minimum we should have achieved. We had a few chances but not a big amount or big chances like we’ve had before.
“We have to be ruthless but there are differences in the squad, and differences in the quality as well. If you don’t have your best team on the pitch then it might look like that.
“It was a tough game. Most of the time we had control of the game but not enough threat in the box.
“It's odd for the fans and odd for me as well. I hate losing, regardless of who’s playing, we have a strong squad and everyone is expecting to play. It was a chance for a few of them to play but when you get a defeat you obviously did something not good enough as otherwise you would have won the game.
“We have to be aware of where we are as a team and individuals and work harder so we can make it better.”
Kutrieb got 90 minutes in for Christian N’Guessan and Joe Martin came off the bench for his first action since September.
But the Fleet manager’s plans were altered following the postponement of their scheduled league trip to Cheshunt in midweek due to a waterlogged pitch.
“It was terrible for me that the game was off on Tuesday, especially the circumstances,” added Kutrieb. “Everyone who knows the story knows it was a really odd situation. Suddenly it was cancelled and no-one was really aware of it.
“It was a blow and we wanted to get minutes on Tuesday and Saturday. We needed to make some changes in decisions. It wasn’t good enough from us and we will definitely be better next week.
“I can’t see there is a change in mentality or approach. There will be some changes next week, 100 per cent. I’m frustrated we didn’t get the win but positive that we are back with our numbers and that’s the most important thing.”
