Danny Kedwell says title favourites Ebbsfleet are ready for whatever National League South throws at them.

Bookmakers have Fleet at 5/2 to lift the trophy ahead of their first game at home to Poole Town on Saturday.

Kedwell knows they’ll be everyone’s cup final again but believes Ebbsfleet are better equipped to meet the challenge in 2016-17.

He said: "We’ve got to make sure we deal with it better than we did last year.

"A lot of teams came to us knowing the quality we’ve got and it was hard to break them down. They stuck 11 men behind the ball and tried to beat us on the counter.

"To be fair to them, it worked but we’ve got a different mentality this year. We know what we can expect more than we did last year.

"It was a massive learning curve. With the start we had (11 wins out of 12), once we got near Christmas time, that was the only way teams could deal with us.

"But if they try it again this year, we’re ready."

It’s less than three months since Kedwell’s saved penalty cost Fleet promotion at the end of a dramatic play-off final against Maidstone.

He netted two spot-kicks and Fleet led 2-1 in stoppage-time at the end of extra-time before Dumebi Dumaka struck to force a shoot-out.

"It was tough," Kedwell admitted. "I was more gutted that we were only a minute away from winning.

"To lose on penalties like that, to score two penalties in the game and miss one in the penalty shoot-out, it was a bit hard to take.

"But I was more disappointed that we conceded in the last minute. You move forward and it makes you stronger, mentally, more determined that this year it won’t happen."

Kedwell, who celebrated his 33rd birthday yesterday (Wednesday), is ready for another long season.

He said: "I’m feeling fit. I only missed one training session last year and I’ve not missed one this year so I think I’m getting fitter.

"I just love playing football, even if it’s in the park.

"You never know, your career could end in one game, you could have a bad injury so while you’re still there playing, you’ve got to enjoy it."

Kedwell’s strike partner from last season, Matt Godden, is now at Stevenage but the former Gills man has been impressed with Daryl McMahon’s new recruits.

He said: "As people, they’re good lads and they’re hard workers. If you work hard, you get your rewards and the other stuff comes along with it."