Baird: Sutton are human, not supermen
By Wendy Gee - 
THE last time Eastleigh travelled to tonight’s hosts Sutton United, they ran out handsome 4-0 first qualifying round replay winners in last season’s FA Trophy.
But the balance of power between the two clubs has shifted dramatically since then.
While the culling of senior players has taken the wind out of the Spitfires’ Blue Square Bet South sails, Sutton, the newly-promoted Ryman Premier champions, have announced their arrival on the Conference scene with five wins and two draws from their first nine games.
Anthony Riviere and Tony Taggart, two of Eastleigh’s goalscoring heroes in December’s Trophy romp, are now Sutton players, joining a family of ex- Spitfires at Gander Green Lane.
Paul Doswell, the man who piloted the Spitfires on their rise from the Wessex League, is in his fourth season in charge of the Us and ex-Eastleigh man Karim El Salahi is one of Sutton’s defensive linchpins, although he is out tonight with a sore groin.
While Eastleigh fought out a rather disappointing 1-1 home draw with rock-bottom Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday to drop to 19th in the table, high-riding Sutton roared to a 3-0 success at Truro City.
“They had a fantastic result on Saturday and we know what we’re up against tonight with the comparative size and age of the two squads,” said Eastleigh boss Ian Baird.
“They will be buoyant and full of confidence, but they’re 11 humans, they’re not supermen and we’ve got nothing to fear.
“I expected Sutton to be up where they are. I said last season that they had at least a Conference South squad and they’ve strengthened in good areas since then by taking Rivs and Taggs. I didn’t want to lose either of those players but, under the circumstances of the summer changes at Eastleigh, I knew I was going to.
“But I signed up for it and the position we’re in doesn’t surprise me one bit.”
The good news for Eastleigh is that experienced battler Jamie Brown returns tonight after a three-match ban.
“Ever since Jamie came back to the club, he’s had fresh vigour, determination and enthusiasm,” said Baird. “You may not get brilliant 40-yard passes from him, but you know you’ll get 150 per cent honesty and endeavour. I’m pleased he’s back, that’s for sure.”
Although Doswell’s name will forever be linked with Eastleigh, he sees tonight as “just another game.”
“I’m still mates with Ian (Baird),” he said. “But I don’t really concern myself with Eastleigh any more.
“I keep hearing about the ‘young’ theme of their squad, but the average age of their side on Saturday was 25.6.”
Of his two latest Silverlake signings, Doswell said: “Rivs, in particular, has played well and done what everyone knows he can. Taggs has been a bit in and out, but has done particularly well in the last couple of games.”
But the balance of power between the two clubs has shifted dramatically since then.
While the culling of senior players has taken the wind out of the Spitfires’ Blue Square Bet South sails, Sutton, the newly-promoted Ryman Premier champions, have announced their arrival on the Conference scene with five wins and two draws from their first nine games.
Anthony Riviere and Tony Taggart, two of Eastleigh’s goalscoring heroes in December’s Trophy romp, are now Sutton players, joining a family of ex- Spitfires at Gander Green Lane.
Paul Doswell, the man who piloted the Spitfires on their rise from the Wessex League, is in his fourth season in charge of the Us and ex-Eastleigh man Karim El Salahi is one of Sutton’s defensive linchpins, although he is out tonight with a sore groin.
While Eastleigh fought out a rather disappointing 1-1 home draw with rock-bottom Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday to drop to 19th in the table, high-riding Sutton roared to a 3-0 success at Truro City.
“They had a fantastic result on Saturday and we know what we’re up against tonight with the comparative size and age of the two squads,” said Eastleigh boss Ian Baird.
“They will be buoyant and full of confidence, but they’re 11 humans, they’re not supermen and we’ve got nothing to fear.
“I expected Sutton to be up where they are. I said last season that they had at least a Conference South squad and they’ve strengthened in good areas since then by taking Rivs and Taggs. I didn’t want to lose either of those players but, under the circumstances of the summer changes at Eastleigh, I knew I was going to.
“But I signed up for it and the position we’re in doesn’t surprise me one bit.”
The good news for Eastleigh is that experienced battler Jamie Brown returns tonight after a three-match ban.
“Ever since Jamie came back to the club, he’s had fresh vigour, determination and enthusiasm,” said Baird. “You may not get brilliant 40-yard passes from him, but you know you’ll get 150 per cent honesty and endeavour. I’m pleased he’s back, that’s for sure.”
Although Doswell’s name will forever be linked with Eastleigh, he sees tonight as “just another game.”
“I’m still mates with Ian (Baird),” he said. “But I don’t really concern myself with Eastleigh any more.
“I keep hearing about the ‘young’ theme of their squad, but the average age of their side on Saturday was 25.6.”
Of his two latest Silverlake signings, Doswell said: “Rivs, in particular, has played well and done what everyone knows he can. Taggs has been a bit in and out, but has done particularly well in the last couple of games.”
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