When a new manager walks into the building, you immediately want to see an element of clarity in the way he plans to set up the team.
What style is he going to bring? Can he get more out of the players he has taken over?
So when Richard Money chose to go with a 5-4-1 system against relegation rivals on Saturday, including full-back Jordan Liburd as part of the four in midfield, fans were understandably critical.
The positive was that Money wasted no time in changing things around, bringing on the ever-lively Oladapo Afolayan onto the pitch after 26 minutes, the youngster scoring twice.
Saturday was a huge loss but we simply do not have time to get over these defeats now. If we want to survive in the National League this season, we have to start taking points. And now.
We have to start doing what we are good at. Go back to basics, defend deep and counter against sides who will be frightened of Murombedzi, Asante, Afolayan and Hylton running at them. Win our aerial battles and stretch the pitch quickly.
Quite how Money does this remains to be seen. There were positives on Saturday but defensive lapses have cost us time and time again.
Travelling to Eastleigh on a Tuesday evening is unhelpful but this is the kind of game we can come away victorious in. For starters, the aforementioned pace going forward could give a side predominantly made up of over 30’s a real problem.
It’s Eastleigh and AFC Fylde this week. We have to win one of these games, and why can’t it be tonight?
Vital Quotes:
Richard Money laments defensive errors:
‘We simply didn’t defend well enough to get it back to 2-2 then to concede after 20 seconds was just shooting ourselves in the foot. I know what I have to do and that is get wins, the lads know it as well, it seems like this game typified the season for the players, we can attack and create chances but we concede too many. I think though if we can win on Tuesday, we can forget about this game and move forward.’
Eastleigh Team News:
Gavin Hoyte and Reda Johnson are potentially all available following injuries. Graham Stack, Mark Childs and Sam Togwell are all unlikely to feature.
Player to watch: Gary McSheffrey
Gary McSheffrey once tore apart the Championship as Birmingham City won promotion to the Premier League. His career has gone downhill since but a move to Eastleigh has reignited the 35 year-old, his tantilising delivery as strong as ever.
Solihull Moors Team News:
Nick Townsend joined yesterday and could make his Solihull Moors debut in goal. Oladapo Afolayan will expect to start while Jermaine Hylton and George Carline could return.
Player to watch: Oladapo Afolayan
Oladapo Afolayan was a surprise omission from the Solihull Moors starting XI on Saturday but soon showed his mettle with two superb left-footed goals. His youthful legs could be testing for Eastleigh’s ageing side.
Match Facts & Stats
Eastleigh – 16th
Overall record: Played 15; Won 4, Drawn 7, Lost 4; For 17, Against 16, GD +1; Points 19
Last six at home Played 6; Won 2, Drawn 3, Lost 1; For 9, Against 7, GD +2; Points 9
Most starts: Andrew Boyce, Danny Hollands & Mark Yeates – 14
Most goals: Ben Williamson – 6
Worst discipline: Danny Hollands – 4 yellow cards
SOLIHULL MOORS -24th
Overall record: Played 16; Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 12; For 16, Against 31, GD -15; Points 8
Last six at home Played 6; Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 4; For 5, Against 9, GD -4; Points 4
Most starts: Darren Carter – 16
Most goals: Oladapo Afolayan – 7
Worst discipline: Shepherd Murombedzi – 5 yellow cards
Ref Watch:
Referee: Adam Bromley
Location: Devon
National League matches officiated 17/18: 7
Yellow cards produced: 22
Red cards produced: 1
Penalties awarded: 0
Last time in charge of Solihull Moors: Bromley 1-0 Solihull Moors – 16/09/2017
Assistant referees: Craig Simpson and Craig Scriven
Fourth official: Lee Rutter
Match Prediction:
Eastleigh 1-2 Solihull Moors
Next Fixtures:
Solihull Moors’ next six fixtures:
28/10/2017 – AFC Fylde (H) – 15:00 – NL
05/11/2017 – Wycombe Wanderers (H) – 14:00 – FAC
11/11/2017 – Sutton United (H) – NL
18/11/2017 – Maidstone United (A) – NL
21/11/2017 – Wrexham (A) – NL
25/11/2017 – Gateshead (H) – NL
