Baird: we've got to thrive on being just like Real Madrid (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Baird: we've got to thrive on being just like Real Madrid

8:32am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Sport By Wendy Gee

AS Bridle Insurance were officially confirmed as Eastleigh owners this week, manager Ian Baird urged his players to embrace the Spitfires’ new-found status as the one of the Blue Square Bet South’s most ambitious clubs.

Following approval from the board and shareholders, Bridle have acquired the majority shareholding of the Stoneham Lane outfit and will now press on with their exciting project to deliver League football to the Silverlake.

Having been handed the cash to significantly strengthen his playing squad, Baird saw the first signs of Bridle’s bold plans coming together last week as Eastleigh’s quality-laden, new-look side handed out a 4-0 hiding to fifth-placed Sutton United in the Blue Square Bet South.

But with money comes pressure, and Baird says the biggest test for his players will be to deal with the high expectation that will be heaped on them.

Sutton boss Paul Doswell, the man who started Eastleigh’s rise up the pyramid, has jokingly christened Baird “Roberto” after Manchester City’s big-spending boss Mancini.

Baird said: “After what’s gone on here, people are going to say we’re the Real Madrid of the Conference South and we’ve got to thrive on that.

“The bar has been raised and the dynamic of the club has totally and utterly changed and it’s up to the players to deal with that level of expectancy.

“I told them they’ve got to step up to the mark and each and every one of them did that against Sutton last week.

“Sutton were a very good side, which is easy to say when you’ve won, but the difference on the day was that we took our chances as well as defending very well.

“I genuinely believe we’re developing a real good team spirit and it’s a positive place to be.”

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