Baird and Forbes kiss and make up

By Wendy Gee - 

THE rift between Eastleigh manager Ian Baird and star striker Andy Forbes has been healed.

Although the Spitfires boss has not gone as far as to take the 30-year-old off the transfer list, he was ready to start him in Saturday’s postponed Blue Square South match against Weston-super-Mare following clear the air talks with Forbes on Friday.

For all Forbes’ unquestionable talent, Baird, felt the striker was not performing on a consistent enough basis and was not meriting his status as one of the Spitfires’ highest earners.

Baird’s patience finally ran out and he transfer-listed the Reading-based marksman, scorer of an impressive 139 goals in 254 club appearances, the day after Eastleigh’s dismal FA Trophy exit at Lewes.

The decision shocked Eastleigh supporters, many of whom revere Forbes as a Spitfires legend, and there was criticism of the manager for saying he hoped the striker would prove him wrong before dropping him from the squad for the 1-1 draw at Braintree Town the following Saturday.

But Baird’s actions brought a positive response from Forbes, who phoned his manager for peace talks at the end of last week.

“Andy spoke to me on Friday and said he had taken on board what I’d said. He said he wanted to prove me wrong and he wanted to score goals for Eastleigh,” said Baird.

“I told him that as long as he’s prepared to have the right attitude, we can put all this behind us and move on.

“That’s it over and done with as far as I’m concerned. The matter has been put to bed.”

However, asked if that meant Forbes had been taken off the list, Baird said: “I didn’t say that.”