It's A Long Way To The Top, If You Play as Eastleigh.....

Previous post was long and stuffy, here goes a more concise version. The aim, to take Eastleigh to the Premier League title is underway. A first season in the game for the manager brought untold success. League champions and FA Trophy finalists, despite an earlier than expected exit from the FA Cup to Luton. York became FA Trophy holders, while Eastleigh, 7th favourites for the Blue Square South title, stunned critics to take the title comfortably, with Omar Koroma, a summer signing, finishing as top scorer and divisional player of the year, and their manager, earning the manager of the year award too.

With a new stadium ready in two years, financial instability beckons. With the club now worth near quadruple the value 12 months ago, the club is harbouring multi-million pound debts as a result of the new stadium, and long-term contracts to a near 25 man full squad. With a manager unwilling to sacrifice players from a title winning side, and a squad harbouring hopes higher than the medias prediction to finish 20th, the newly established Blue Square Premier team need lots of things to go their way.

Can the highly touted young manager continue the success he has brought in his first year, or will the insecurities behind closed doors cause too much disruption? Let the second season commence...

The season starts in bizarre fashion. Expected to be much more conservative in approach, the Eastleigh manager continues his attractive 3-4-3 formation, delineating slightly from the diamond tactic that proved so fruitful in his first managerial year.

They began the season away at highly rated Cambridge. The manager gives 4 new players starting debuts. Loanees Mauro Vilhrte, Cameron Edwards and Josh O'Keefe play in a new midfield, with Fabio Zamblera displacing Jamie Slabber in the impressive strike-force that brought bags of goals and flair to an otherwise reserved team.

By half-time, both sets of fans had been treated to goals and impressive attacking play. Eastleigh led thanks to Omar Koroma's first goal of the new season, and Josh O'Keefes first goal for the club. Cambridge had began brighter, but sat back on a 1 goal-lead from early on in the game. The second half began as the first had left, with Fabio Zamblera scoring on his debut, justifying his selection in the starting line-up. With the game edging closer to the final quarter, Cambridge had two opportunities to score in quick succession, and Easleighs lack of experience at this level cost them, conceding both times and leaving the manager reeling on the touchline.

Eastleighs attempts to break Cambridge down bore no fruit, and despite offering much more, came away with a draw. The result continues the impressive run of form Eastleigh led into the season with from their friendlies. Winning against Woking and Hungerford, and despite losing to parent-club Southampton, had managed to grab a deserved draw against Premier Division outfit Aston Villa.

Defensive frailties cost Eastleigh valuable points against relegation candidates Tamworth as they lose in their first home game of the new season. Despite Zamblera's early form, scoring twice on his home debut, profligacy in front of goal for his fellow strikers, meant despite controlling the game and dominating possession and chances, Tamworth left with an undeserved 3-2 victory and all three points. With weaknesses costing valuable points early on, will reinforcements be needed or will Mr Melling give the defenders the opportunity to address recurring mistakes?