EASTLEIGH boss Martin Allen has a proven track record of turning short-term pain into long-term gain with his previous clubs Gillingham and Barnet.

So while fans may be feeling twitchy as the Spitfires head into tomorrow’s FREE-ENTRY game against Macclesfield Town (Tuesday, 7.45pm) still looking for their first victory of 2017, the manager himself takes confidence in knowing that history is on his side.

A meagre return of seven from a possible 27 National League points since his arrival from Barnet at the start of December means Eastleigh’s already slim play-off hopes have effectively been snuffed out.

But by cutting the team budget and bringing in mostly younger, cheaper players, Allen is putting money in the pot for another rebuilding job during the summer.

He has gone on record saying at least two good players have already effectively “signed” for next season and says his relationship with agents will be crucial in getting him the tools to build a championship-winning side.

Allen said: “I’ve got agents ringing me right, left and centre. Every day I must get 20 calls offering me players for next season. That’s how it works.

“Gillingham finished eighth in League Two the season before I took over and the next season they were champions after a massive clear-out.

“It was the same with Barnet. They were eighth and the next season we were (Conference) champions, having topped the table from the first day to the last.

“I took over two mid-table teams which both ended up as champions and, at both clubs, unpopular decisions had to be made.

“Only time will tell if we can do it again with Eastleigh, but it’s a fantastic challenge and the relationship with agents and finding players is going to be crucial.”

Last Tuesday’s 2-0 home defeat by Braintree was swiftly followed by another against a classy Tranmere Rovers outfit on Saturday.

Asked if it had been a “difficult” week for him, Allen said: “I wouldn’t say difficult, this is normal.

“This is what happens when I go to a club.

“It’s normally in a bit of a mess and I have to turn it round and build teams. That’s what I do.”

Eastleigh, 15th, could desperately do with pulling a positive result out of the bag tonight.

They have not won at home since October 25 and last tasted victory at Boreham Wood on New Year’s Eve.

Tomorrow's opponents Macclesfield are eight points better off in ninth place having managed a draw, a loss and a win in their last three league games.

John Askey’s Silkmen have an FA Trophy quarter-final beckoning on Saturday at Dulwich Hamlet, whose route to the last eight included a 1-0 win at Winchester City.