Baird: Derby clash will make or break our season
By Simon Walter - 
Eastleigh manager Ian Baird believes the festive double header against arch-rivals Havant & Waterlooville can define the club’s season.
The former Hawks manager is hoping for his first win at Westleigh Park as Eastleigh manager on Boxing Day, having seen the Spitfires draw 2-2 on their last three visits.
And Baird, whose side host Havant on New Year’s Day, believes it is about time their luck changed at the home of their local Blue Square South rivals.
He said: “We’re looking forward to these games, we’re one of the division’s form teams and I always get a nice reception at Havant!
“These two games could define our season, if we get four points or more out of them we’ll have continued our momentum.
The former Hawks manager is hoping for his first win at Westleigh Park as Eastleigh manager on Boxing Day, having seen the Spitfires draw 2-2 on their last three visits.
And Baird, whose side host Havant on New Year’s Day, believes it is about time their luck changed at the home of their local Blue Square South rivals.
He said: “We’re looking forward to these games, we’re one of the division’s form teams and I always get a nice reception at Havant!
“These two games could define our season, if we get four points or more out of them we’ll have continued our momentum.
“There’ll obviously be added spice to these games but we’re confident.
“We’ve always equipped ourselves well there in the four games we’ve played there since I left, but we have been desperately unlucky in all of them.
“We lost there shortly after I left Havant in 2007 and have drawn the other three.
“They always seem to get the rub of the green.
“But hopefully that will change because our form is very, very good at the moment.
“We’ve always equipped ourselves well there in the four games we’ve played there since I left, but we have been desperately unlucky in all of them.
“We lost there shortly after I left Havant in 2007 and have drawn the other three.
“They always seem to get the rub of the green.
“But hopefully that will change because our form is very, very good at the moment.
“The signings we’ve made – Damian Scannell, Mitchell Nelson and Scott Rogers – have really bolstered our squad.”
Eastleigh have won their last three games and have also extended left-winger Graeme Montgomery’s stay with the club following his release from Aldershot.
“Monty’s been a big part of our form over the last few weeks,” said Baird, who was Havant’s manager for three years before leaving for Eastleigh in October 2007.
Tom Jordan eventually followed Baird to Stoneham Lane in the summer of 2008 and, as Eastleigh’s captain, is also sure to be on the receiving end of a hostile reception.
Shaun Gale, formerly Baird’s right-hand man, replaced him as Havant & Waterlooville manager and remains in charge.
He believes the pressure will be on Eastleigh following their recent investment from Bridle Insurance.
“Obviously they’ve been able to strengthen their squad and they've spent some big money on players and wages,” Gale said.
“The likes of Scannell and Nelson from Bournemouth won’t be playing for peanuts.
“But this is a tough, tough league and money doesn’t always buy you success.
“And, when you bring that calibre of player in, the pressure is on.”
Gale added: “If we were to win both games then we’d go above them.
“That’s the incentive. Everyone wants to take local bragging rights.”
Eastleigh have won their last three games and have also extended left-winger Graeme Montgomery’s stay with the club following his release from Aldershot.
“Monty’s been a big part of our form over the last few weeks,” said Baird, who was Havant’s manager for three years before leaving for Eastleigh in October 2007.
Tom Jordan eventually followed Baird to Stoneham Lane in the summer of 2008 and, as Eastleigh’s captain, is also sure to be on the receiving end of a hostile reception.
Shaun Gale, formerly Baird’s right-hand man, replaced him as Havant & Waterlooville manager and remains in charge.
He believes the pressure will be on Eastleigh following their recent investment from Bridle Insurance.
“Obviously they’ve been able to strengthen their squad and they've spent some big money on players and wages,” Gale said.
“The likes of Scannell and Nelson from Bournemouth won’t be playing for peanuts.
“But this is a tough, tough league and money doesn’t always buy you success.
“And, when you bring that calibre of player in, the pressure is on.”
Gale added: “If we were to win both games then we’d go above them.
“That’s the incentive. Everyone wants to take local bragging rights.”
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