Malone hails Wilson potential

By Simon Walter -

AT JUST 16-years-old, Eastleigh striker Sam Wilson has already impressed this season.

Director of football David Malone believes he has "huge potential".

Wilson made his debut as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat at home to Basingstoke last week and struck the crossbar during a lively cameo after coming on in the second half of the 2-1 loss at Truro City on Tuesday.

"He's got a huge amount of potential but that's all it is at this point in time," said Malone. "He's got every thing you look for in a striker.

"He's not the biggest physically but he's got all the attributes. He's a Keegan-esque type forward, a bit like Andy Forbes was for us.

"He has pace to burn, he can finish and for his size, he's not bad in the air.

"I don't think Bairdy sees him as someone who will start that often but he looked threatening during the last 15 minutes at Truro playing in the hole.

"And from the glimpses our fans have seen they also think he has huge potential."

Wilson is likely to be a regular coming off the bench during the course of the season.

"He was on Pompey's books, they talked to him in the summer and there was every possibility they would take him back," continued Malone.

"But fortunately for us Pompey and Sam's dad thought his future would be better with us as we can give him the opportunity to go full-time.

"He was going to go to college but has decided to dedicate his time to football at the moment. We wait with baited breath to see how good he can become."

Wilson is one of several young prospects in Eastleigh's first team squad this season.

Two 19-year-olds, striker Andrew White and right back Billy Tsovolos, have also impressed.

White scored Eastleigh's equaliser on the stroke of half time at Truro and also struck a post in the second half.

"We had an experienced side out at Truro but all three of the youngters were excellent," said Malone.

"We signed Andrew from Gillingham and he caused problems all night long. Billy is an Australian who was released by Pompey, but he and Andrew want to get back into the Football League and I think they can.

"We have some excellent prospects and those three will certainly get more game time as the season progresses.

With developing players a key part of Eastleigh's raison d'etre, a season of consolidation is expected at the Silverlake Stadium.

"We've done what we said on the label," said Malone. "If we can finish mid-table with a new team we will be pleased with that.

"Although the result did not reflect it, the performance at Truro was encouraging. The Eastleigh fans who made the trip applauded the team off but the way the home fans cheered you would have thought they had won the European Cup!"