THINGS could go one of two ways for Eastleigh after a difficult couple of weeks for the club, according to manager Ian Baird.

But there is only one he expects to see.

The Spitfires lost three times in seven days last week, including two cup defeats which director of football David Malone estimated would cost the club about £20,000 in prize money.

Coupled with the loss of a six figure-sum of sponsorship income, the club were forced to announce an across-the-board pay cut starting next month in a bid to help ensure it remains financially sustainable.

The news has no doubt created an uncertain atmosphere at the Silverlake Stadium with the players among those having to contemplate their futures.

Baird said: “There are two ways you can look at the situation.

“One is that everybody sticks together, we dig in and make the best of the situation and hopefully it can drive us on to success.

“What success I am looking at this moment, though, I don’t know.

“On the other side of the coin, the wheels could fall off, everybody could put life jackets on and jump off the ship as soon as they can and the season could be a disaster purely on a survival basis.

“But I have got every faith in the players and the staff we have got at the club that everybody will stick together.”

The effects of this week’s developments have been immediately felt by Baird.

Defender Warren Goodhind’s release was announced at the same time as news of the pay cut.

And player/assistant manager Dave Hughes and striker James Baker, who has agreed a deal to join Blue Square South side Welling, have also followed Goodhind through the exit door.

Baird said: “We have worked extremely hard since pre-season to try and turn things around and improve on what we had before.

“So it’s very disappointing to lose three players very quickly, but I am crossing my fingers and legs that I won’t lose any more.”

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