Bridle buoyed by early signs

By Wendy Gee - 

NEW Eastleigh owners Bridle Insurance are pleased with the on-field progress so far.

Neil Fox who, along with business partner Stewart Donald, has purchased a majority shareholding in the Blue Square Bet South club, can see a decent team developing.

Since the Bridle duo were welcomed on board, initially as main club sponsors in late November, manager Ian Baird has been granted the riches to bring in quality players like Damian Scannell, Daryl McMahon, Mitchell Nelson, Gary Elphick and on-loan Aldershot striker Bradley Bubb.

Predictably the new-look side has taken time to settle, but the last two results - home wins over Sutton United (4-0) and Havant & Waterlooville (3-2) - suggest the Spitfires could yet mount a late push for the play-offs.

Asked if he was happy with the team's style of play, Fox said: "The side's got to gel and, to start with, it's getting the three points that comes first whether that's by playing on the deck or over the top.

"But the signs have been there in the last two games that players like Bubb, Scannell and McMahon are good footballers.

"I'm sure Bairdy will have the team playing to their strengths and the good thing is that there's plenty of competition for places.

"When you've got someone like (former Brighton, Havant and Eastbourne centre-back) Gary Elphick sitting on the bench, it says a bit about where the club's going.

"He'd get into any other side in this league and it's testament to the incumbents of the position he plays in that he hasn't started yet.

"We need a sensible squad of quality players in which everyone understands the part they need to play to help the club going forward."