mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Boreham Wood 3 - 1 Eastleigh

Despite leading courtesy of a wonder strike from Connor Hunte, we completely imploded and lost the game 3-1. It was another bad away day - making me question how to approach future away matches. That's the second loss in a row, and to make matters worse we picked up some lengthy injuries. That's our first loss in quite a while, and its brought an end to our unbeaten run.

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After the game, I was greeted by the news that Stuart Fleetwood will have a VERY lengthy lay-off. We're one of the worst injury-hit sides in the league. We really can't catch a break. @KG Watson - As you can see having the best side in the league doesn't always pay dividends. Luck can really turn a season.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Gosport 3 - 5 Eastleigh


Eastleigh edge Gosport out in a thriller. After going in 3-0 up at half-time, I thought I was in for a stress-free day at the office. No such luck! Despite giving a good half-time team talk, Gosport came out firing and brought the game back to 3-3. Given that we were away - and our away from is absolutely shocking, I was honestly bricking it. I thought we'd thrown it! Fortunately, just before I was about to have a fit, we clinched the victory. I'm very concerned with my defending - not sure if my cavalier attitude in attack is influencing our sloppy back-line. Nevertheless, with the injuries we have, this was a BIG win.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Transfer update

With the injuries pilling-up, and yet more players being called-up for internationals - now Larsson (just 16) has been summoned for Sweden U-19's - I've moved to bulk the squad with the signings of left-back Charlie Taylor (season-long loan from Leeds), and Shaun Jeffers (free agent).

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Eastleigh 1 - 1 Bath

A disappointing draw against promotion-chasers Bath. Despite leading the game, we threw away 2 points, as Bath capitalised from a set-piece. To be honest, they set-up VERY defensively (flat 4-5-1) - they obviously hoped they could nick a goal on the counter or through a set piece, and it worked. Well played I guess, but very disappointing from our point-of-view.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Tonbridge 4 - 1 Eastleigh


How is it you're all over a team and THEY hammer YOU!? Well that's what happened here - against the team at bottom! It didn't help that the match report for the referee read: "didn't have the best game of his career". To be honest, I've absolutely had it with Damian Batt - he's been AWFUL! Despite the fact I've not got the biggest squad, I'm releasing him as of tomorrow!

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Never has a game meant so much. We've had a dismal October - before today, our poor form had seen us drop to 6th. We were at home - the only place we can seem to muster good performances for some reason - this was vital!

Eastleigh 2 - 0 Maidenhead


Needing to end October on a high, I sent my team out with one message: "Win at all costs!" Morale was at an all-time low - it was never going to be easy. Thankfully, the kids stepped-up, bagging a 2-0 victory. Finally a clean sheet. Have we turned a corner?

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Having released Batt and Fleetwood (the latter because of the severity of his injury/ high wage), I'm left with an even younger squad than before. The most senior player in my team is just 23. Can you win with kids? I don't think I have much choice as of now. Boys must become men if we are to challenge for promotion.
Dan
13 years ago
1 week ago
16,964
Form is a little mixed pal, hopefully you can get something more secure down!
mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Form is a little mixed pal, hopefully you can get something more secure down!


I know mate, it's taking an age for my players to get used to one another and the formations. Then again, there were wholesale changes so I pretty much expected this difficult period of transition. Even with the form being a bit iffy, I think we've got enough about us to go up this year. The home form is good, it's just my away form that's killing me.
mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
October review

As 'DanW19' rightly said, our form has been very poor recently. We need to improve over the coming months. Still, as bad as everything seems we've still managed to keep a respectable 3rd place position in the league. With the new arrivals in January I definitely think we could make a push for promotion.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Whitehawk 3 - 1 Eastleigh

Today we traveled to the most on-form side in the league. Whitehawk having been playing some great football recently, moving them to within two points of the promotion places.

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Well, I thought we were turning a corner. Another poor display costs us dear. Whitehawk have been in-form lately, and it certainly wasn't an easy time to face them, however, we certainly contributed to our demise. Having got the game back to 1-1 courtesy of Jordan Larsson, we were sucker punched with two goals in the last 10 minutes. A bitter pill to swallow - we've now fallen to 7th in the league, 4 points off top.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Eastleigh 4 - 0 Sutton Utd


Our home match against Sutton was a must win. In the build-up to the game former Eastleigh favorite Ryan Ashford backed me, saying that I deserved the support of the players, board, and fans during this difficult time. Whilst it was pleasing to see, it did have me wondering about my job security.

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Just the response I was after. Yes, it's another home win, but its an emphatic one! We were excellent, and in all honesty it could have been more. The best thing about the result was the clean sheet - we've found it difficult keeping it tight at the back, but the return of club captain Lowinsky certainly helped. I've got all my players back from injury now (bar Caleta-Car who just got a 2-3 week injury whilst away on international duty) so things are hopefully on the up.

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In other news, the hat-trick from Larsson took him to the top of the scoring charts. That's 12 goals in 16 outings for Larsson - a very healthy return. The lad is looking every bit the quality striker his father was.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
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FA Trophy 3rd Qual. Rnd
Eastleigh 2 - 0 Billericay


Another good performance. I made some changes to the side that won against Sutton (players were on internationals again), and fortunately those who stepped-in did a very good job. Despite an early penalty miss from Ladapo, goals from Hunte and Reason were enough to see off a difficult Billericay side. Most importantly, another clean sheet!

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Chelmsford 2 - 5 Eastleigh

Eastleigh hammer Chelmsford and leapfrog them into 2nd place. Despite twice trailing in the game, we came back fighting to win 5-2. That's the sort of spirited performance and reaction I've been looking for. I have to admit, after going down to an early goal, equalising, and then going behind again, I thought it would be one of those days. Fortunately for me, Horvath and Larsson were immense! Those two can go a long way in the game - hopefully they will take Eastleigh Football Club with them.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
http://www.darlington1883.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/fa-trophy.jpg

The first round of the FA Trophy saw us draw league-leaders Ebbsfleet. This was going to be one hell of a game! We haven't met Ebbsfleet in the league yet, and we're currently sat 4 points behind them. They're a very good side, and I wasn't expecting any favours. This game was seen as more than just a cup tie - it was the chance to get a mental-edge over your rival promotion contenders.

FA Trophy 1st Rnd
Eastleigh 5 - 2 Ebbslfeet


This was the tie of the round and boy did it live up to it! A Connor Hunte masterclass helped us record a memorable 5-2 victory. It goes without saying that Larsson and Horvath were in fine form once again, but it was Hunte who takes the plaudits, with the midfielder registering two goals and two assists.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
November review

It was the perfect end to November! Despite starting the month slow, we quickly improved - winning 4 games on the bounce. There was some memorable moments this month, no less that away victory against Chelmsford and the cup win over league-leaders Ebbsfleet. That last game was a real statement of intent. We showed everyone what we're capable of, and with our new players arriving in January, we're only going to get better.

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Sascha Horvath and Jordan Larsson have been in scintilating form this month, although it was Horvath he narrowly pipped the Swede to the Skrill South Player of the Month award. Well deserved!

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Eastleigh 4 - 0 Staines

Another fantastic performance from the boys! Horvath starred again, and subsequently received a standing ovation when I chose to sub him with around 10 mins remaining. It's kind of a double-edged sword - I want him to do well, but if he keeps performing like this big clubs will come calling. In other news, our goal-scoring exploits were praised in the press - we've scored fifty goals in just twenty games. We might be toilet at defending, but our attacking is second-to-none.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Dorchester 2 - 2 Eastleigh


A brace from Larsson wasn't enough to secure victory. Despite going behind to an early penalty, we came back fighting - it looked as if we were set for a 2-1 victory when, out of nowhere, Dorchester stole a point. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the equaliser as it looked a stone-wall offside. You be the judge.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Farnborough 0 - 2 Eastleigh

The Spitfires are back to winning ways thanks to a 2-0 victory over Farnborough. Following the controversy in the last game it was vital we came out and concentrated on the task in-hand. It's all to easy to get caught in a whirlwind of bad results - as a manager I'm slowly learning how to avoid such catastrophes. There were wholesale changes to the side that drew with Dorchester, and fortunately it paid off - Jeffers and Ladapo with the goals to secure a crucial 3 points.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
We rested players in the last game because we had this BIG cup tie just days later. We were really up against it - playing a side in the league above, not to mention the current holders of the competition.

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FA Trophy 2nd Rnd
Wrexham 2 - 3 Eastleigh


In a thrilling game, we emerged victorious. Two goals from Larsson and a sublime free-kick from Kourouma were enough to secure our passage into the next round. This was the first time I've called upon "The Bus", and it worked to great effect.

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Korouma has been under a lot of pressure recently, following a spate of poor performances. Hopefully he has gone some way to silencing his critics. To be honest, when he stepped up for the free-kick I was thinking "What the hell is he doing up there!" He proved me wrong though, as he rifled home his first goal of the campaign.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Eastleigh 4 - 2 Ebbsfleet


Back to league action as we faced league-leaders Ebbsfleet. We've beaten them once this season (in the FA Trophy), and the feeling in the camp was that we could repeat our previous heroics. Sashca Horvath was unplayable as he tore the Ebbsfleet defence apart, grabbing a brace and securing a memorable 4-2 victory. Despite the loss, Ebbsfleet remain top. We're pushing them all the way and this win will further emphasize our desire to lift the league trophy.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Havant & Waterlooville 1 - 2 Eastleigh


In a difficult away game, a goal from Ladapo and a late screamer from Twum were enough to secure a crucial 3 points. Following the win against Ebbsfleet, I decided to give the lads a 3 day break before this Boxing Day clash. We looked a little jaded in the opening exchanges, however in what some would term a 'managerial masterclass', I made two substitutions - both of whom would go on to score.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Bromley 2 - 2 Eastleigh


A cruel late goal denied us the perfect end to December. A side we beat 4-1 on the opening day of the season held out for a 2-2 draw.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
December review

What a month! We were excellent over the festive period. Our fine form keeping us hot on the tails of league-leaders Ebbsfleet. As can be seen from the table below Larsson and Horvath have been vital to our emergence as one of the league's most feared sides. Larsson leading the scoring charts with 17 goals, and Horvath leading the assists chart with 13. In other news, I received my second Manager of the Month award.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Transfer update

The big day has finally arrived! If you've read the story up till now, you will be familiar with these new faces, if not let me introduce them.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Eastleigh 3 - 1 Eastbourne Boro


Having lost 2-0 to Eastbourne at the start of the season, i was determined to get one over on them in the return. Of the new arrivals, Tibbling, Gjesdal, and Groven all started. At first, I was a little worried - I thought the squad harmony may have been impacted by all the new arrivals. Thankfully, a strike on the hour from Horvath and a penalty 8 minutes later from that man Larsson calmed my nerves.

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That win has put us top. Of course, Eastbourne do have a game in hand. Still, it's a fantastic achievement, and I'm sure my boys will be determined to stay there. Another milestone was passed with that victory - we've beaten our previous unbeaten record (set at the start of the season). Our current run is twelve games unbeaten!

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Eastleigh 5 - 3 Hayes & Yeading


A second-string Eastleigh record a hard-fought victory, in the process maintaining the sides impressive home form. 3 minutes in, Yado Mambo got himself sent-off. We had to change everything. I decided to sit back, with two banks of four and hopefully sneak something on the counter. What transpired was an absolute goal-fest, thankfully with us coming out on top.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Dover 2 - 3 Eastleigh

We maintained our fine form with a narrow 3-2 victory of lowly Dover. Baumgartner was sensational grabbing two goals. I once more put out a weaker XI, with an up-coming FA Trophy tie against Barnet in mind. Luckily, we escaped embarrassment and managed to hold on for an important 3 points.

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
Transfer update

With the games coming thick-and-fast, I've decided to add another option to my list of Strikers. I've just finalised the season-long loan of Crawley forward Jamie Proctor. Proctor will do well to displace Larsson, but the added competition will hopefully have a positive effect on my forward-line.

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For those that are interested, here are my transfers so far:

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
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FA Trophy 3rd Rnd
Barnet 0 - 0 Eastleigh


Although some may have faniced us, I felt being away, and playing a side in the league above, demanded a defensive approach. The fans may not be happy, but ultimately we have taken the tie to a replay - at our ground! I certainly feel more comfortable to play the Gegenpressing at home, and will certainly use it in the return leg. Some may not think much of this result, but I'm very happy with it. The Bus has done its job again!

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mully99
18 years ago
2 months ago
259
Premium
http://www.darlington1883.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/fa-trophy.jpg


3rd Rnd Replay
Eastleigh 1- 2 Barnet


We're out! A dubious penalty and a 92nd minute winner condemn us to defeat. We deserved much more, but to be honest they just looked like they wanted it more. The games are really catching up with us - if I didn't build such a big squad we would really be struggling now. The league is all we have to concentrate on now - we must now put all our focus on the push for promotion!

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More than just exiting the cup, that last game ended our fine run of form. Hopefully, we can forget about this result and kick-on for the rest of the season.

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