Baird: Totton have all the best local players

By Wendy Gee -

EASTLEIGH boss Ian Baird looks like drawing a blank in his quest for a new signing ahead of tomorrow's visit of Blue Square Bet South leaders Braintree Town.

Unlike The Iron manager Rod Stringer, who has brought in central defender Ollie Thorne from Kidderminster and striker Stefan Payne from Gillingham on loan, Baird has had no joy trying to strengthen his squad in preparation for the promotion run-in.

"I'm trying to bring in another body but we couldn't afford the player I wanted," he said.

"Clubs like Braintree and Chelmsford are strengthening because they don't want to fall by the wayside and, although Bromley have said Warren McBean can go, they've brought another three players in.

"We've got a lot of games in a short space of time and, with other sides all bolstering their squads, I'm concerned we haven't got anyone in, but it's not easy.

"If you can afford it, you go for a player who can replace someone in your side, but we don't have money for that.

"And if you go down the lower end to players you can afford, they don't want to sit on the bench.

"Geographically it's hard for us.

"If you look at the best local players - and, in my opinion, they're at Totton - you can't get hold of them.

"Totton have one or two who would easily make the step up, but Stu (manager Stuart Ritchie) isn't going to let them go because they're in a fantastic position themselves.

"No disrespect to the other clubs, but I don't think Bashley, Sholing or Gosport have anyone better than we've already got.

"Therefore you either look further afield and pay more money or talk to Football League clubs. I've spoken to (under-18 coach) Jason Dodd at Saints about loaning someone but, understandably, they want them to get at least two or three games."

One avenue Baird would love to explore is loaning ex-Spitfire Brett Williams from Reading.

The 23-year-old striker left Eastleigh for the Royals in a £50,000 deal last month, but has yet to get his first-team break.

"We miss Brett and I'd love to take him on loan, but Reading won't allow it," said Baird. "I asked when they signed him if we could loan him back for three months but it was a big 'no' I understand even Northampton and Yeovil have tried to loan him and been refused."

Although Luke Byles (injured and suspended) and Warren Goodhind (hamstring) are both sidelined tomorrow, the Spitfires are in decent shape to face Braintree.

They have banked six points out of six this week against Basingstoke and St Albans and on-song hitman Jamie Slabber has netted six goals in the last five games, boosting his season's tally to 17 in all competitions.

When Baird signed Slabber last summer, he admitted the 26-year-old former Spurs and England youth striker was in the last chance saloon after a stop-start career blighted by injury.

"I've always been an admirer of Jamie's," he said. "He's got proven pedigree at a higher level, albeit that he's never been able to sustain it due to injuries.

"He's sat out a couple of games for us injured, but he's been pretty much ever-present this season and I'm pleased he's doing so well."

Braintree are 11 points better off than fifth-placed Eastleigh having played one game more.

"At the start of the season I don't think Braintree were on anyone's radar to do as well as they have," said the Spitfires boss.

"They don't give a lot away and they've got firepower in Sean Marks and Glenn Poole. It's going to be a very difficult game."

BLUE SQUARE BET SOUTH

Top scorers (league goals only)

23 - Adam Birchall (Dover)

21 - Sean Marks (Braintree

13 - Bradley Bubb (Farnborough), Jamie Slabber (Eastleigh)

12 - Calum Willock (Ebbsfleet)

11 - Kezie Ibe (Farnborough), Dave Rainford (Chelmsford)