With Ebbsfleet halfway through their Blue Square Bet Premier campaign, manager Liam Daish says has seen enough to know his squad have what it takes to avoid relegation.

The Fleet have reached the mid-point of their season with 26 points and sit five points above the drop zone. At the same stage in 2009-10 – the season they lost their place in non-league’s top flight – Daish’s side were rock bottom with just 12 points.

Forthcoming trips to Barrow and Grimsby provide a stark reminder of the challenges Fleet must overcome to stay up, however Daish (pictured) has faith in his players to prevent them sliding straight back down.

He said: "This is difficult but there’s enough in that changing room to have a better outcome than last time.

"We’ve got to at least keep the squad together. It might be enough, it might not be. I’m hopeful and I believe it will be.

"We’re in a nationwide league but as much as they’re long trips I’d rather be here than in the comfort zone, in local games.

"I’m sure people like Dartford, Dover and Welling wish they were playing against ex-League sides like we are.

"We haven’t done badly for a part-time team. In terms of status, squad and budget we have compared to other teams in the league, we are doing all right."