NL 2025/26 Preview: Eastleigh

7th July 2025 12:26 pm

Eastleigh FC: 2025/26 Season Preview – Stability or Stagnation?

Eastleigh head into 2025/26 hoping to build on a season that promised more than it delivered. A 13th-place finish, early cup exits, and frustration with tactics left many Spitfires fans underwhelmed. Now under the continued leadership of Kelvin Davis, the question is whether the club can punch above its weight—or simply coast again in mid-table.

With Tyrese Shade remaining at the heart of the attack and a small cluster of promising new signings, the building blocks are there. But expectations are cautious, and Davis will be under pressure to show more attacking intent than last year’s “play not to lose” approach.

Last Season in Review

League Position: 13th (National League)
Average Attendance: 2,234 (11th highest)
FA Cup: 4th Qualifying Round – Lost 0-1 at home to Southend
FA Trophy: 5th Round – Lost 0-1 away at Altrincham
Top Scorer: Tyrese Shade (14 goals)
Key Player: Tyrese Shade (14 goals, 8 assists)

Despite Shade’s contribution, the team never looked like a serious playoff contender, with fans criticising a conservative tactical style that invited pressure and failed to build on winning positions.

Squad overview

Eastleigh head into the National League season with a squad that has some talent but clear gaps to address. In goal, Townsend looks a solid first choice, providing experience without fuss, while McDonnell’s departure frees up wages for other areas. Defensively, Maher and Fernandez offer reasonable steel, and Eweka adds mobility, but depth remains thin and the squad still lacks a commanding centre-back to anchor the unit. Full-back cover is also a concern that could bite over a long season.

Midfield looks tidy but lacks bite, with Humphries and Waruih capable in possession but not particularly physical, while Taylor is steady but uninspiring creatively. There’s a clear need for a box-to-box midfielder who can drive the team forward. Up top, Tyrese Shade is the standout, bringing directness and work rate that can trouble National League defences, while Aaron Blair could complement him if used with freedom. However, with McCallum’s movement now limited, Eastleigh still need to find a fast, versatile forward or attacking midfielder to help ease the burden on Shade and give the attack a sharper edge.

Shade stands out as the club’s main attacking threat, providing directness, pace, and work rate that can trouble National League defences—qualities the team sorely lacks elsewhere in the squad. With midfield creativity and forward options limited, Eastleigh are heavily reliant on Shade to spark attacking moves and contribute goals. If Eastleigh are to push beyond mid-table and ignite a playoff challenge, it will almost certainly hinge on Shade’s ability to consistently deliver moments of quality in a side otherwise short on attacking variation.

Summer business

Eastleigh’s summer business has been sharp, bringing in proven hunger and much-needed energy across the pitch. Up front, Aaron Blair arrives following a productive spell at Maidstone, where his pace and directness caught the eye after a promotion-winning stint with Braintree. A forward who loves attacking space, Blair is determined to add goals and assists as he steps up, giving the Spitfires an outlet they often lacked last season. Alongside him, Kieron Evans joins permanently from Cardiff City, a creative midfielder with a strong technical base who impressed during spells at Torquay and Gateshead, even lifting the FA Trophy at Wembley. At 23, Evans still has his best years ahead and adds spark to Eastleigh’s midfield options.

At the back, Eastleigh have moved smartly to secure Temi Eweka from Maidstone, a composed and mobile centre-back who has grown steadily through the non-league ranks, including a standout season with Slough before stepping up to full-time football last year. His aerial presence and late-goal threat add a fresh dimension to the defence. In goal, the experienced Nick Townsend joins after over 200 appearances for Newport County, bringing safe hands and leadership between the sticks while adding further steel to a squad ready to push up the table. Collectively, these signings bring a blend of hunger, EFL experience, and upward momentum, giving Eastleigh fans real optimism heading into the new National League campaign.

Signings and retained list

New signings: Temi Eweka (Maidstone United), Nick Townsend (Newport County), Aaron Blair (Maidstone United), Kieron Evans (Cardiff City), Archie Harris (AFC Bournemouth, season-long loan).
Retained: Tyrese Shade, Jake Taylor (captain), Luis Fernandez, Paul McCallum, Richard Brindley, Niall Maher, Llyod Humphries, Jake Vokins, Angel Waruih, Connor Underhill

Departed / Released

Lee Hodson, Chris Maguire, Joe McDonnell (GK), Solomon Nwabuokei, Corey Panter, Scott Quigley, Nathan Rogers, Jai Semenyo, Tommy Scott, Deji Sotona, Malachi Dotse

Loans Returned

Noa Boutin, Ben Close, Rekeil Pyke

Fan Sentiment: Davis on borrowed time?

The forum paints a mixed picture heading into the new season:

🗣️ “We had a squad good enough for the playoffs, but the manager held them back. I’m calling 11th or 12th again.” – usspitfire

🗣️ “Unless something radical happens, it’ll be mid-table again. York and Southend are better resourced.” – hantslondoner

🗣️ “If we play like the last six games—6 points from 6—we’re on a relegation path.” – back4more

🗣️ “Davis doesn’t communicate decisions well. It annoys fans. We need consistency in form and fitness.” – unknownquantity

🗣️ “When we chased games, we got points. When we led and sat back, we lost them. That’s the crux of the issue.” – usspitfire

While there’s appreciation for previous cup runs and pockets of decent form, most fans are in “wait and see” mode. The calls for attacking intent are louder than ever—and patience with Davis may run out quickly if results stall.

2025/26 Prediction: 12th–15th (Mid-Table Comfort, Unless Spark Ignites)

Strengths

Tyrese Shade is one of the division’s more underrated forwards
Several experienced, battle-hardened National League players remain
Defence is solid if unspectacular
Townsend adds assurance in goal

Weaknesses

Lack of midfield bite and attacking variation
Over-reliance on Shade for creativity and goals
Conservative tactics and predictable game management
Minimal depth in key areas—especially centre-mid and full-back

Eastleigh look set for another season of cautious stability unless Kelvin Davis can shift gears and inject attacking intent into a conservative side. Tyrese Shade remains the standout threat, and the additions of Eweka and Blair offer fresh energy, but a lack of midfield bite, creative options, and attacking variety mean the Spitfires remain heavily reliant on Shade to spark moments of quality. Defensive solidity and experience should keep them out of serious trouble, but without a tactical rethink, Eastleigh risk drifting through another mid-table campaign.

If Davis loosens the handbrake and finds a way to get more support to Shade, a top-half finish is possible. Otherwise, the most likely outcome is a repeat of last year’s underwhelming safety, landing Eastleigh somewhere between 12th and 15th, with occasional frustration that they are capable of more but unwilling to truly chase it. 15th.