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Post by leewilson on Aug 3, 2023 15:27:57 GMT
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Post by tenacres on Aug 3, 2023 21:00:45 GMT
Very thorough! Below is the section on us:
Eastleigh
Ins
Jake Taylor (Stevenage)
Paul McCallum (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Enzio Boldewijn (Sutton United)
Ryan Clampin (Colchester United)
Tommy Scott (Hamworthy)
Lee Hodson (Kilmarnock)
Solomon Nwabuokei (Barrow)
Aidan Barlow (Doncaster Rovers)
Ludwig Francillette (Crawley Town)
Scott Quigley (Stockport County)
Chris Maguire (Ayr United)
Outs
Michael Kelly
Ousseynou Cisse
Jake Scrimshaw
Jake Hesketh
Gerry McDonagh
Tristan Abrahams
Ryan Hill
Vincent Harper
Ross Flitney
Brendan Wilson
Christian Maghoma
Tom Bragg
Potential line up
Squad brief: All change at Eastleigh this summer following the return of Stewart Donald as club chairman following a short stint at Sunderland as one of the shareholders. As a result, a side that was on the verge of the play off positions, before fixture congestion caught up to them, has been dismantled. First team regulars such as Christian Maghoma, Ryan Hill and Ousseynou Cisse have departed and found moves to fellow National League sides. The club certainly wouldn't have wanted to lose star wing back Vincent Harper but a move to a club in the Football League was inevitable and the 22-year-old is now at Exeter City. Eastleigh's approach has very much been in the realm of bringing in experienced operators who have largely played at a higher level. Following Maghoma's departure, six-foot-four Ludwig Francillette, formerly of Crawley, will likely partner captain Aaron Martin at the back whilst ex-Colchester left back Ryan Clampin will fill that void opposite young right back Oscar Rutherford. A new central midfield combination appears to be in the workings with veteran former Wales international Jake Taylor joining from Stevenage. He will most likely be partnered by the dynamic Solomon Nwabuokei, who has previously impressed at National League level with Woking. The Spitfires front four will also look mostly unfamiliar from last season although the impressive Charlie Carter will be fighting to maintain his place at the tip of the midfield following ten goals last season and the February Player of the Month award. Either side of Carter will most likely be two from former Manchester United academy player Aidan Barlow, unpredictable dutch winger Enzio Boldewijn or veteran Chris Maguire, who has scored and created at a range of clubs throughout his 17 year career. Up front, Eastleigh have plumped for two tall experienced proven goal-scorers in Paul McCallum and Scott Quigley and you would envisage that at times the two will be paired together. Finally, young goalkeeper Tommy Scott has been signed as backup to the excellent Joe McConnell, who is fresh from appearing for Boreham Wood in the play offs following at emergency loan at the end of last season.
Manager: Lee Bradbury is best known for his time at Bournemouth as a player. Following Eddie Howe's first departure from the club back in 2011, Bradbury stepped into the managerial hotseat and guided the Cherries into the play offs where they lost in the semi finals. The following season was a chastening experience for the manager who couldn't keep the club's upward trajectory going. Following this, Bradbury dropped down the divisions to manage Havant and Waterlooville where he led the club to multiple promotions culminating in a season in the National League. Relegation followed however also resulting in the end of the manager's 7 year stint in charge. Bradbury's profile had been lower in recent years following an unsuccessful stint in charge of Eastbourne Borough. However, unexpectedly challenging for a play off position last season with Eastleigh has provided him with a route back into management.
Unheralded Gem: Oscar Rutherford - Only 19-years-old, Oscar Rutherford broke into the Eastleigh first team midway through last season and soon made an impact from right back and higher up in right midfield. Noticeably very strong for his age and not afraid to venture forward, the Spireites will do well to hold onto him until the season has concluded.
Top Goal-scorer Prediction: Paul McCallum
Overall Thoughts: It has been an exciting summer for Eastleigh fans with many players from Football League clubs arriving. On paper, the squad is stronger and in a prime position to compete for the upper places in the division. One of my reservations surrounding Eastleigh though is the style employed by Lee Bradbury compared to the players he has bought. The Eastleigh manager is known more for a defensive brand of football whereas there will now be an expectation for the Spitfires to be controlling games rather than chasing out of possession. Paul McCallum, Scott Quigley and Chris Maguire are certainly not going to press opposition backlines so it will be interesting to see if Bradbury looks to be more aggressive with his defensive line or there may be a lack of synergy between players and tactics. With this in mind, it would not surprise me if Stewart Donald wielded the axe early should results be patchy early on. However, it can not be denied that the physical, aerial approach that Eastleigh are likely to employ could well overwhelm several teams. For this reason, with a new manager at the helm, I think Eastleigh are still in a good place to achieve a play off position but perhaps not via the route they will be expecting at this stage.
Prediction: Play Offs.
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Post by sattsy on Aug 4, 2023 7:48:36 GMT
Was good reading until he called us the Spireites!
He does however make a very good point that with our front 3 (Macca, Quigs & Maguire - all over 30) we are not going to be pressing high up the pitch, so will be inviting teams onto us...
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Post by callumefc on Aug 4, 2023 8:38:27 GMT
Think we will be a silent contender this season
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Post by hantslondoner on Aug 4, 2023 8:45:48 GMT
Thanks - an impressive volume of work!
I'd agree with most of the analysis and predictions, I'd go for Chesterfield and Oldham to go up. Oldham have just signed James Norwood.
I'd also agree with Eastleigh getting into the playoffs, and, yes, as usual, it will be the defensive work that gets us there, although at least the attack looks more potent and we possibly have more creativity in midfield.
Gateshead were very impressive in the second half of last season, I'm not sure they'll make the playoffs though. Southend are impossible to predict, the players amd manager are good enough, depends what goes on off the pitch. Woking and Boreham Wood look to have improved, as do York.
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Post by usspitfire on Aug 4, 2023 10:56:40 GMT
Other than the "Spireites" typo, a pretty accurate assessment of us I'd say. I do agree with his concern of "...or there may be a lack of synergy between players and tactics", but I'm hoping my (and the writers) fears are unfounded.But I also agree with him that SD won't allow Bradbury to park the bus every game. Going into the season I'm optimistic of a top 4 finish.
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Post by leewilson on Aug 4, 2023 11:01:04 GMT
Apologies - I've edited the Spireites typo. To be fair it's not too dissimilar from Spitfires.
Good luck for the season. Certainly think you lot are in with a shout if you can get off to a decent start and stay with the pacesetters.
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