FLEET IN AT 15 TO WON

Kutrieb's spot on with prediction

- Matt Badcock

TO DELVE into Ebbsfleet United's relentless run to the National League South title, we have to go back to January 3.

Dennis Kutrieb's side had just suffered back-to-back humblings to Kent rivals Dartford over the Christmas period.

But instead of holding crisis talks, the Fleet boss relayed a message of calm-and a prediction: 15 more wins for the title.

They didn't lose again and, on Good Friday, Ebbsfleet booked their return to NonLeague's top flight with a 3-0 victory over Oxford City. It was win 15.

Kutrieb tells The NLP: "I said to the boys, 'Look, yes we've had two bad games and heavy defeats. That's normal, you can have that in football. But if we approach it as we have done in the first 23 games, if we do exactly the same, not one bit less, with 15 wins we will get promoted'.

"It's a funny story - and it's nice for the bigger picture because they know when the gaffer says something he knows what he's talking about!"

Kutrieb's side wrapped up the title with four games to go but it had long looked a formality as soon as they pulled away from the chasing pack.

Sweet