Eastleigh FC mini recruitment doc.
By Samuel CollyerEastleigh are a side who at the start of the season I predicted to be a strong contender for the playoffs given their summer recruitment. But a season later, 3 managers down the line, they find themselves facing a late scramble for safety in the division with a rebuild under Kelvin Davis looming in the summer.
In this document I will form a key retained list, but for the sake of the plan, I will be basing this off the idea that Mccallum will be sold. I will look into rebuilding the side with realistic transfers to build a squad which I feel could push Eastleigh back up the table.
Key Retention List (excluding Mccallum)
Joe McDonnell – Goalkeeper
Finding a top goalkeeper at NL level can be hard to do, but in Joe McDonnell Eastleigh have one of the best. Not the biggest goalkeeper, but he possesses brilliant reflexes on top of a top reading of the game, allowing him to show off his range of technical abilities with his distribution also. For me McDonnell is a must keep for Eastleigh, a top NL shot stopper.
Ludwig Francillette – Centre-Back
Since arriving from Crawley in the summer, the towering Frenchman has been an ever present at the back for The Spitfires and has shown why he has spent time playing in the EFL. A natural defender, who has extremely impressive physical attributes, Francillette is the perfect defender for the club to rebuild a defence around going forward.
Oscar Rutherford – Right-Back
One of Eastleigh’s young talents, Rutherford’s athleticism and raw ability is something that could be moulded into an EFL player in he near future. An attack minded wing back who loves to bomb up and down the right, Rutherford is a no-brainer to keep for me given his current ability on top of the levels he could reach in the near future.
Enzio Boldewijn – Winger
An experienced winger in this division and a player who I rate extremely highly, Boldewijn is a player that most sides in the league would love to have at their disposal. Capable of playing wing back, on the wing and through the middle, Boldewijn’s versatility is one aspect of his game on top of his raw pace and technical ability that adds to the list of reasons Eastleigh need to keep the Dutchman.
Scott Quigley – Striker
Do Eastleigh already have their Mccallum replacement at the club? Quigley is a promotion specialist in the NL and fits the mould in which Paul Mccallum already plays. A physical target-man who knows his way around the box, I think Eastleigh could do a lot worse than keep Quigley as he brings experience, ability and proven goals to the squad.
The Rest Of The Squad…
Given the underwhelming outcome of Eastleigh’s season, I feel a larger reset than thought is needed. Only a small number of players I do feel should be retained, being extremely cut-throat in my thinking. As far as squad players go, I feel George Langston, Sol Nwaboukei, Ben Reeves and Brennan Camp are all players who could be used in the squad, but on top of that I feel a full rebuild could be needed, espeically to the midfield and back line.
It may seem harsh to let ever presents in the side such as Hodson and Taylor go in the summer, but for me a youthful spring needs to be added to the squad around the experienced heads I have already mentioned retaining whilst allowing Davis to play the way he intends to more freely.
Transfer Targets.
When looking at the squad put together so far, I feel there is a number of players who need to be retained going into next season. The list is as follows:
Centre-Back x3 (x1 left footers)
Left-back x1
Midfielder x3 (youthful)
Striker x2 (x1 more mobile)
When looking into the transfer targets, I have taken into account the clubs location, as well as how likely they are to sign these players, on top of an estimated budget for the club.
Centre-Back – Canice Carroll – Oxford City
With the first signing recommendation I look to the relegated sides to a hidden gem in the division in Canice Carroll. The Irishman has impressed me this season at centre-back, whilst also being able to play in midfield too. His distribution and reading of the game is extremely impressive and would be perfect to play as a central centre-back.
So far this season, Carroll has managed an 86% pass completion rate as well as picking up 2 assists, showing his ball playing ability is of high quality. He has also impressed from a defensive view, averaging 7 interceptions and 15.5 ball recoveries per game, backing that he has a strong reading of the game. A composed head to slot in around the likes of Francillette and others, Carroll seems like a great option for The Spitfires.
Centre-Back – Deon Woodman – QPR (Southend)
In past seasons, Eastleigh have shown a positive link with QPR, pickling up a handful of loan players, so for me the loan signing of Woodman would make a lot of sense. A towering centre-back at 6’6, Woodman has been in the NL with Wealdstone and Southend this season, but is in need of a club who can rely on giving him more opportunities next season.
The youngster is defensively reliable, averaging 4 recoveries per game but what impresses me is his composure. for such a big defender you would think he is a heavy hitting brute at the back, but his 76% pass accuracy, on top of his 100% dribble success rate tells you he is composed on the ball and plays with a calm head.
Centre-Back – Tyler Cordner – York
Possibly an optimistic one, but for me one that makes sense. The former Bournemouth youngster seems to be out of favour at York since his big money arrival but prior to this he was arguably one of the divisions best centre-backs during his time at Aldershot and is in need of a move in my opinion to revitalise his career.
Despite seeing less time on the pitch this season, Cordner’s numbers still boast an impressive output. The defender has averaged an 85% pass completion as well as 10.7 recoveries and 5.9 interceptions per 90. He has also scored twice, with offensive threat at set pieces also being an impressive attribute he carries, scoring 9 in 2022/23 with The Shots. A move back south to a local side could do him good and would allow him to find more minutes next season again.
Left-Back – Bailey Clements – Chesterfield
One of two former loanee’s I suggest a return for, Clements was very impressive earlier this season on loan with Eastleigh, and with parent club Chesterfield competing in League Two next season, Clements may look elsewhere for more minutes next season and a return to Eastleigh could make sense.
This season despite only playing 21 times, Clements has performed to an impressive standard when called upon. The full-back has shown impressive offensive skill, boasting a 66% dribble success rate as well as picking up 2 assists. Defensively he has also shown glipmses of his abilities, averaging 1.9 clearances and 4.4 interceptions per 90, making him a strong option for that left wingback position next season.
Centre-Midfield – Jack Wadham – Bournemouth (Worthing)
Another loan deal for The Spitfires that I would not be surprised to see happen, Wadham has spent the second half of the season on loan in the NLS with Worthing and has shown he is capable of playing at a higher level. Another coastal local, I think putting the big clubs surrounding Eastleigh to good use is very important to their success.
A defensive minded midfielder, Wadham would be the perfect profile to anchor the midfield trio, using his positional awareness and discipline to sit deep, allowing the other two midfielders to progress up the field and support the wing-back and forwards. A player like this in the system is crucial as it adds balance to the side and Wadham could be the perfect option.
Centre-Midfield – Omar Mussa – Dagenham & Redbridge
Like Cordner, Mussa is another player who has bags of ability and so much to offer, but is in need of a move to get his career back on track. A progressive midfielder who loves to carry the ball forward, Mussa has had a tough time at Dagenham, but his time at Weymouth showed how good he can be.
So far this season Mussa has made 14 appearances for Dagenham. His most impressive stat is his dribbling success, with the midfielder showing off a 76% success rate whilst being fouled 1.4 times per game. He is also capable of the dirty work in midfield too, successfully winning 8.8 duels per 90, making him a solid option for Eastleigh to monitor in the summer.
Centre – Midfield – Manny Oyeleke – Woking
Now this one is a real gamble. I feel with this rebuild Eastleigh need another experienced midfielder, and Oyeleke is a seriously good player on top of that, but his downfall is his injury record. If they can keep him fit there is an extremely talented player there and with the other suggestions being lower risk I feel I can add this in as more of a gamble.
A defensive midfielder with very good passing range, Oyleke has managed a 79% pass accuracy for Woking this season on top of a 75% dribble success rate. He also has shown off his defensive awareness this season, managing 6.5 ball recoveries and 3.2 interceptions per game, which are two crucial stats for a defensive midfielder. If Eastleigh took a gamble on Oyeleke they would need to work hard to keep him fit, but if they do they will see how good a player he really is.
Striker – Alfie Lloyd – QPR
The first of the two striker recommendations is a familiar face to Eastleigh fans. With both forward I have gone for a more mobile, youthful approach to compliment Quigley in attempt to get the best out of him. Lloyd on paper seems to be the perfect fit. A pacy, versatile forward who is also physical enough to handle the NL.
The 20-year-old scored 5 times in 22/23 for Eastleigh on loan but has since found himself back in the QPR academy. Next summer I feel he needs to make a move into senior football again to further his development and a return to The Spitfires under Kelvin Davis could be on the cards. I know many Eastleigh fans would welcome him back with open arms.
Striker – Ezio Touray – Weymouth
The final transfer target for me is a proper hidden gem in the NLS. Touray has so much potential to be a complete package forward for me. The Italian youngster has pace, power and is a very good finisher all whilst only being 21, and has been proving that this season for Weymouth.
Touray has found the net 11 times this season in 31 games, bu with more service I could see him scoring a lot more. He managed a taste of the NL at the back end of last season on loan at Maidstone, so he will know what to expect going into the league, and I feel he could be a real talent and a seriously good option for Eastleigh next season.
The Final Squad
Overall I have looked towards a more youthful approach for next season with a sprinkle of experience from the likes of Oyeleke, Reeves and Boldewijn. The youngster such as Touray, Wadham and Lloyd will have some top players to learn from. With the defensive options I have leaned towards taller, more powerful defenders, but have also taken into account a style of football that involves build up play from the back. In regards to replacing Mccallum who I think will leave, I have gone younger and more mobile, giving Quigley players who can play off of him and ones that offer a more technical approach rather than playing more direct.
Looking at the completed squad I feel like this team is overflowing with potential and could be the fresh start Eastleigh need after this season to push themselves back up the table and in contention to fight for the playoffs next season in what looks to be a fairly open race.
