TODD: I’VE ADDED LEADERS AT EASTLEIGH
CHRIS TODD thinks the leaders he’s added to his Eastleigh squad will have them in better shape to be promotion contenders – and says he won’t lose any sleep over defender Richard Duffy’s change of heart.
Todd’s side ran out of steam last season as their play-off push ended in a seventh-place finish in the National League table.
The Spitfires’ pitch took a hammering after their FA Cup third-round date with Bolton Wanderers, when they forced a replay before bowing out, and meant they were playing catch up when subsequent games were called off.
Boss Todd feels his squad hit the wall and needed more leaders – something he’s looked to address this summer.
David Pipe brings promotion know-how from his time at Newport County and Jake Howells won the title with Luton Town.
He’s also signed defender Connor Essam from Leyton Orient and snapped up Scott Wilson from Weston-super-Mare.
“My squad now is in a lot different shape to last year,” Todd said .“There’s a lot more balance and mix of age, so it’s very pleasing.
“Last season was one of highs and lows.We had the high of the FA Cup, got back to the league but had games off because of the pitch. And the games we did have were all away.
“We ended up not winning a game for nearly a month because we didn’t play and, when we did, we were away – not that we’re making excuses.
Difference
“Being perfectly honest, towards the end of the season I felt we ran out of steam. We had some crucial injuries to Andy Drury and James Constable – big players – and I believe we missed out on a few leaders come the end. “That’s where my recruitment over the summer has led me. Happily, I’ve brought them into the club and, hopefully, they can make a big difference. “There’s been a lot of movement over the summer at other clubs – some have been signing 13 players – so it’s going to be interesting.
“But we’re happy with what we’ve got and we’ll be giving it our best shot.We can’t guarantee anything, but I believe we will be a contender. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t be doing the job I’m doing.”
One potential recruit who won’t be at the club is former Port Vale defender Duffy.The 30-year-old had verbally agreed to sign but has since joined League Two Notts County.
“It was a verbal agreement and we were going to tie it down when he got back from his holiday, ”Todd said.“We spoke to Richard on the phone about coming in and getting it signed. He was all for doing that and then, two days before, he rang and was very apologetic about the situation.
“But it’s football. I know that. Until someone has signed on the dotted line, it’s never complete.We believed it was because we told people.
“But it’s got to be right for us and the lad himself. If he’s not 100 per cent committed to coming to the football club, and when he said he was looking to go somewhere else, we weren’t going to stand in his
way.”