Ebbsfleet midfielder Daryl McMahon believes manager Steve Brown deserves more credit for the job he’s doing at Stonebridge Road.

McMahon became Brown’s first new signing as Fleet boss when the north Kent club spent £13,000 to bring him across the county from Dover.

The 30-year-old is one of six players in the Ebbsfleet squad who worked under Brown at Crabble last season and he hailed the influence of the former Charlton defender in guiding the new-look squad firmly into promotion contention.

McMahon said: "If I’m being honest, we’re ahead of where we should be. In June, when Browny came in, this club had no players. It had nothing, really.

"Now, in January, we’re third in the league, so I think everyone should look at the job he’s done. He’s done a fantastic job and he’s not getting the credit he deserves.

"Everyone thinks 'they’ve got money and they’ve thrown a good team together' but it’s not as easy as that. People have to understand where Ebbsfleet were at the end of last season.

"They were relegated from Conference Premier, they had no team and now they’re challenging straight away to bounce back with a whole new team. That’s credit to the boys and the staff."

Some Fleet supporters still haven’t warmed to Brown but he certainly has the respect of the players.

McMahon said: "He’s brilliant with the boys. He knows what we need, as a group. He’s open, he’s honest and he’ll nail you when he’s got to nail you.

"He’s positive, the same as Gritty (Steve Gritt) and Juppy (David Jupp). As a management team, the three of them work well together."

Read the full interview in the Gravesend Messenger.