Taggart signing done deal
Spitfires secure Taggart services
- By Wendy Gee
Tony Taggart will face AFC Bournemouth in tomorrow's friendly at the Silverlake Stadium as a fully-fledged Eastleigh player.
Although the former Havant & Waterlooville midfielder has been an integral part of the Spitfires' so far unbeaten pre-season campaign, he didn't actually sign a contract until last night.
"Taggs has been on trial, but not," said manager Ian Baird.
"He didn't need to be on trial with me because I know what he's about, but we didn't have the money to sign him a month ago.
"Fortunately, one of the Directors has kindly agreed to pay Tagg's wages which, from my point of view, is very pleasing.
He's done ever so well in pre-season, playing in three or four different positions, and he's gelled really well with the lads.
He's a good character and great to have around the dressing room."
Eastleigh meanwhile are still awaiting the outcome of winger Mark Marshall's three-week trial with League One outfit Swindon Town.
Indications are that Robins' boss Maurice Malpas has targeted a 'free agent' Championship winger and that Marshall, who is contracted to Eastleigh until the end of next season, is second choice.
Marshall's agent, however, believes Swindon are preparing to make the Spitfires a 'money per games' offer, which would suggest they are unwilling to cough up the full asking price for an untried player.
Baird said: "There are two ways of looking at that. Around 600 professional players were released on free transfers at the end of last season, but if they've got a decent CV then their wage demands are going to be significantly higher than the likes of Mark Marshall who's coming straight out of non-League.
"I'm not going to tell Maurice Malpas how to run his club, but I would take a chance on Mark.
"None of this unsettles me because I've been around these situations all my footballing life, but it's unsettling for the player with various people talking in his ear - and that doesn't help Eastleigh.
"The sooner it's resolved the better."
Matt Groves (blisters), Andy Harris (tight calf) and Luke Byles (hip niggle) should be okay to face Bournemouth tomorrow despite feeling the after-effects of four games in quick succession in north Devon last week.
The bad news, though, is that Andy Forbes has had another setback in his recovery from a hernia operation and now needs more surgery on a stomach abscess.
Broken hand victim David Hughes can't do any contact work for a further three weeks, while Baird reckons Jamie Brown, is still "a good month away" following hip surgery.
Eastleigh are hopeful of a big crowd for their final friendly before the big Blue Square South kick-off at Thurrock next Saturday.
It's Bournemouth's last friendly too and I'm assuming Kevin Bond will put out a strong side considering it was him who phoned me to ask for the game," said Baird.
- By Wendy GeeTony Taggart will face AFC Bournemouth in tomorrow's friendly at the Silverlake Stadium as a fully-fledged Eastleigh player.
Although the former Havant & Waterlooville midfielder has been an integral part of the Spitfires' so far unbeaten pre-season campaign, he didn't actually sign a contract until last night.
"Taggs has been on trial, but not," said manager Ian Baird.
"He didn't need to be on trial with me because I know what he's about, but we didn't have the money to sign him a month ago.
"Fortunately, one of the Directors has kindly agreed to pay Tagg's wages which, from my point of view, is very pleasing.
He's done ever so well in pre-season, playing in three or four different positions, and he's gelled really well with the lads.
He's a good character and great to have around the dressing room."
Eastleigh meanwhile are still awaiting the outcome of winger Mark Marshall's three-week trial with League One outfit Swindon Town.
Indications are that Robins' boss Maurice Malpas has targeted a 'free agent' Championship winger and that Marshall, who is contracted to Eastleigh until the end of next season, is second choice.
Marshall's agent, however, believes Swindon are preparing to make the Spitfires a 'money per games' offer, which would suggest they are unwilling to cough up the full asking price for an untried player.
Baird said: "There are two ways of looking at that. Around 600 professional players were released on free transfers at the end of last season, but if they've got a decent CV then their wage demands are going to be significantly higher than the likes of Mark Marshall who's coming straight out of non-League.
"I'm not going to tell Maurice Malpas how to run his club, but I would take a chance on Mark.
"None of this unsettles me because I've been around these situations all my footballing life, but it's unsettling for the player with various people talking in his ear - and that doesn't help Eastleigh.
"The sooner it's resolved the better."
Matt Groves (blisters), Andy Harris (tight calf) and Luke Byles (hip niggle) should be okay to face Bournemouth tomorrow despite feeling the after-effects of four games in quick succession in north Devon last week.
The bad news, though, is that Andy Forbes has had another setback in his recovery from a hernia operation and now needs more surgery on a stomach abscess.
Broken hand victim David Hughes can't do any contact work for a further three weeks, while Baird reckons Jamie Brown, is still "a good month away" following hip surgery.
Eastleigh are hopeful of a big crowd for their final friendly before the big Blue Square South kick-off at Thurrock next Saturday.
It's Bournemouth's last friendly too and I'm assuming Kevin Bond will put out a strong side considering it was him who phoned me to ask for the game," said Baird.
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