Baird "embarrassed" by Eastleigh capitulation
By Wendy Gee - 
BOSS Ian Baird has hinted that a season of unrest at Eastleigh contributed to Saturday’s deeply embarrassing 6-1 collapse at Boreham Wood.
It was the Spitfires’ fourth defeat in five win-less league matches and did nothing to boost the claims of players who are meant to be fighting for contracts for next season.
The scale of this defeat combined with three straight home losses has prompted calls for Baird's head on the fans' forum and some are suggesting that last week's resignation of much respected chairman Paul Murray can only be damaging to the club.
In Baird's opinion, events off the field are now taking their toll on performances on it.
He said: "There's lots gone on at this football club that people don't know and probably never will.
“It seems to me that a few of the players have downed tools because of what’s been going on.
“I’m extremely embarrassed by our performance and I feel sorry for the supporters who made the trip. “I can understand the anger of people who don’t know the full facts.”
With the club’s new owners Stewart Donald and Neil Fox not present at Meadow Park, Baird had not spoken to them about the result when he talked to The Echo yesterday.
“All I’ve been told is that I’ll be judged on next season and, if that’s true, then brilliant,” he said.
“In the end, it’s all good what’s happening to the club, but people don’t know what’s gone on before and I’ve had to deal with it all.”
The one bright spot in Saturday’s shambles, said Baird, was the performance of 18-year-old defender Ben Wilson.
“He made mistakes, but he kept going, kept talking to other players and showed a tremendous attitude,” said the boss. “In the light of what’s happened, he did really well.
“Fans have criticised me for going for older players, but that’s nonsense. The goalkeeper Jack Dovey is 19, Ben’s 18, Mitchell Nelson and Philip Appiah are 22 and Bradley Bubb’s 23.
“Some of the new players we’ve signed are interim players and that’s why they’re on contact until the end of the season.”
Next up is a visit from ex-Saint Tommy Widdrington's Eastbourne Borough on Saturday.
It was the Spitfires’ fourth defeat in five win-less league matches and did nothing to boost the claims of players who are meant to be fighting for contracts for next season.
The scale of this defeat combined with three straight home losses has prompted calls for Baird's head on the fans' forum and some are suggesting that last week's resignation of much respected chairman Paul Murray can only be damaging to the club.
In Baird's opinion, events off the field are now taking their toll on performances on it.
He said: "There's lots gone on at this football club that people don't know and probably never will.
“It seems to me that a few of the players have downed tools because of what’s been going on.
“I’m extremely embarrassed by our performance and I feel sorry for the supporters who made the trip. “I can understand the anger of people who don’t know the full facts.”
With the club’s new owners Stewart Donald and Neil Fox not present at Meadow Park, Baird had not spoken to them about the result when he talked to The Echo yesterday.
“All I’ve been told is that I’ll be judged on next season and, if that’s true, then brilliant,” he said.
“In the end, it’s all good what’s happening to the club, but people don’t know what’s gone on before and I’ve had to deal with it all.”
The one bright spot in Saturday’s shambles, said Baird, was the performance of 18-year-old defender Ben Wilson.
“He made mistakes, but he kept going, kept talking to other players and showed a tremendous attitude,” said the boss. “In the light of what’s happened, he did really well.
“Fans have criticised me for going for older players, but that’s nonsense. The goalkeeper Jack Dovey is 19, Ben’s 18, Mitchell Nelson and Philip Appiah are 22 and Bradley Bubb’s 23.
“Some of the new players we’ve signed are interim players and that’s why they’re on contact until the end of the season.”
Next up is a visit from ex-Saint Tommy Widdrington's Eastbourne Borough on Saturday.
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