Football Season Guide

Eastleigh have emerged as a real force to be reckoned with over the last two seasons and intend to remain among the best in the league this season too. Chris Todd enjoyed a really impressive first campaign in the dugout last year, having taken over from long-serving Richard Hill in September. The Hampshire side seemed to be on course for the play-offs but a couple of tight losses late in the season undid their hard work and the team finished just outside. But the appetite is very much there and everyone at Eastleigh believes that they have a pretty good chance of actually grabbing the top spot this time around. They once again acquired quality players and few in the league can match them in that regard. Connor Essam and Adam Dugdale are impressive defenders while David Pipe is the sort of hard-man, utility player that is needed in a promotion charge. Jake Howells is another excellent capture as the versatile player will give Todd plenty of options in midfield and out wide. It must be said that the Spitfires also lost a couple of integral players on Josh Payne and Jamie Turley. The former was the heartbeat in midfield while Turley, when fit, has few peers in the division in terms of pure defending. Yet the signings Todd have made more than adequately replenish the squad and it feels like a stronger and more prepared group this year. Thus, Eastleigh are ready for a battle and are not shy to show their ambitions. Whether they can last the distance remains a big question mark but they certainly have the right tools and should not be taken lightly.