Eastleigh (A) Match Thread

  Hurst is looking to the future rather than the past by putting Battersby in goal. He wants to see how he handles it in a game where you'd have to think he'll get plenty of opportunities to show what he can do. It's not a sentimental choice, but it certainly makes sense.

Quoted from Davec

This game could be vital experience for Battersby, unfortunately there is not much room for sentiment in football and rightly so imo.

Well on that basis, why play Coke? Who is clearly not going to play for us next season.

McKeown shouldn't be strolling into the match day squad on sentiment. Battetsby will probably be here next season, McKeown won't be. Makes total sense to try him out in a competitive game to see how he handles the pressure. And for those who are unhappy and feel McKeown is being hard done by - the club awarded him a testimonial earlier this season, so the suggestion he's been poorly treated is totally off the mark!

Quoted from davmariner

Well on that basis, why play Coke? Who is clearly not going to play for us next season.

Because the YT midfielders aren't as far along in their progression as Battetsby, who is older and on a professional contract? Probably thinks they're not quite at the required level to start a game yet (something I'd agree with based on watching a few of them in preseason this year)

Obviously doesn't want any injuries ahead of the play-offs but surprised Macca's not getting a farewell appearance.

All the key players wrapped in cotton wool makes total sense to me
Hope wright completes 90 minutes there’s a player in there if only he can get that fitness sorted

Quoted from Chrisblor

McKeown shouldn't be strolling into the match day squad on sentiment. Battetsby will probably be here next season, McKeown won't be. Makes total sense to try him out in a competitive game to see how he handles the pressure. And for those who are unhappy and feel McKeown is being hard done by - the club awarded him a testimonial earlier this season, so the suggestion he's been poorly treated is totally off the mark!

The testimonial is probably contractual rather than a goodwill gesture from the club. We’re talking about a player who has given us over 10 years of service, who has turned down lucrative contracts elsewhere to stay and help the club back to where it should be.

Of course, that doesn’t guarantee that anyone should play, but in a dead rubber game ahead of the play offs, when a player is likely leaving - then why not give him a final run out? Do you really think Battersby is going to learn much by picking the ball out of the net repeatedly playing in a weakened team?

40% of our back 5 are Coronation Street characters, the highest since 1973 when Barlow and the Ogden brothers lined up against Workington.

If something happens to Crocombe and Hurst sees Battersby as the No2 he would feature in play offs surely he has to play today get some match practice.

Quoted from crusty ole pie

All the key players wrapped in cotton wool makes total sense to me
Hope wright completes 90 minutes there’s a player in there if only he can get that fitness sorted

You cant be right   Pearson in and Waterfall out,  I know which of the two I would protect. Also are we playing with 3 at the back but only one CD or a 4 with a midfielder filling in somewhere?