Football Season Guide

Eastleigh are one of the newcomers in the league in the upcoming season but are set to make a splash and are rightly considered as one of the dark horses for promotion. The Spitfires are one of the most backed clubs in financial sense and have real ambition and determination to go into the Football League. They were the best side in the Conference South last season and eventually won the title with something to spare, having missed out an year ago. Richard Hall has been given the funds to spend but has also created a pretty homogeneous and strong squad that gathered real momentum as the campaign went on. Similarities have been made with Crawley from recent seasons but the management has sought to dampen the enthusiasm around the club and stressed that they will be aiming to just consolidate in the league for now. However, there is real ambition and determination around the club and Hall will not be settling for just existence in mid-table. Instead, he will demand his players to start well and really make a statement as the momentum they have can carry them a long way. Moreover, they have made a few, but very impressive, signings up to now that have lifted the already impressive level of the squad. James Constable is a very good striker for the Conference level and will undoubtedly score a lot if given the right service. Jack Midson will complement him superbly up front too and one would struggle to spot a better attacking pairing than that one in the entire league. Craig Stanley is a good signing in midfield too while experienced players like Dean Beckwith and Chris Todd will ensure that Hall’s men are always difficult to break down and play against. Generally, Eastleigh have genuine quality all over the squad and definitely deserve to be mentioned among the potential promotion candidates. However, a question mark remains over their ability to adjust to the new surroundings.