RONNIE Moore is urging his new Eastleigh charges to go out and express themselves at home to Solihull Moors on Saturday - his first game as Spitfires manager.

After banking just four points from their first four National League outings and seeing manager Chris Todd sacrificed in the process, player confidence was understandably sapped.

With Moore watching from the stands, the Spitfires looked nervy in possession as the post-Todd era began with a 0-0 draw at Wrexham last Saturday and the new boss sensed an air of trepidation in the ranks during his first training session.

But the charismatic 63-year-old Liverpudlian is determined to bring the players out of themselves, reminding them that playing football for a living is a privilege.

"I want them to enjoy being footballers, go out and express themselves and do what they’re good at and let me handle the pressure," insisted the former Tranmere, Hartlepool and Rotherham boss.

“I said there are thousands of people out there who want to be footballers and you’re the chosen ones.

“We’ve had three beautiful, sunny days down here and I reminded them there are people clocking on for work who won’t clock off again until 10 o’clock at night, whereas we’re out in the sunshine doing the job we love."

Given the soaring temperatures, Moore has been pleased with the players in training, reporting: “They’ve given every ounce of energy and retained the ball a million times better than at Wrexham.

“If we play to our full potential an awful lot of sides will find it difficult to beat us. But if we play like we did last week, we’ll be under the cosh.”

Having inherited a squad inflated by 13 summer signings, team selection will not be easy for Moore.

Five games in, the ambitious Spitfires are still nowhere near knowing what their best side is.

“It’s a difficult decision to pick my first team. We’re looking at two games now – Saturday and Bromley on Monday (3pm) – and I’ve said that if I make changes, it won’t be me that drops you, it’ll be yourself. Play well and I can’t drop you, can I?”

Skipper Joe Partington, Luke Coulson and David Pipe are still injured but there is a chance Reda Johnson could be involved.

The left-sided centre-half, signed from Coventry City earlier this month, is on his way back from a season-long hamstring injury.

“Reda’s the nearest of the four to getting back to some sort of fitness, he’s trained for the last three weeks,” reported Moore.

“He’s a bit concerned about his fitness, but I think he’s old enough and experienced enough to play. We could be looking at an hour on Monday."

While Eastleigh have underachieved so far, the opposite applies to Solihull Moors.

Marcus Bignot's newly-promoted NL North champions have picked up ten out of 15 points and sit fifth.