TABLE-TOPPERS Eastleigh are THE club to play for in the south-east, according to manager Richard Hill.

The Spitfires welcome Lincoln City tomorrow (3pm) in their third Vanarama National League match, having won 4-0 against Southport in their opening game and snatching a last minute win at the Silverlake Stadium 1-0 against Boreham Wood on Tuesday.

Hill believes that, having established themselves as one of the leading lights in the National League, Eastleigh are fast becoming victims of their own ambition when it comes to the opposition trying to prove themselves against them.

“Something that’s become apparent to me is that, outside of the Football League, Eastleigh is becoming the next most desirable club to play for,” he said.

“Obviously people think I’m biased saying that, but I honestly do believe it.

“I feel some games we played in pre-season were more competitive than they would have been because players know the pecking order in football and there was a feeling that if things didn’t work out with the club they were with, then playing well would put them in the shop window for Eastleigh.

“In that respect, they weren’t really run-of-the-mill friendlies because, in my opinion, some of the players were not only trying to impress their own managers, they were also trying to impress Eastleigh. No disrespect to Aldershot and Woking, but we have become the National League club to play for in the south-east.

“Everyone believes we’re paying fortunes and, for that reason alone, it puts us into that bracket – even though we’re not paying as much as people think we are.”

Chris Moyses’ side arrive on Stoneham Lane after winning their opening game 3-1 with Braintree before drawing 1-1 with newly relegated side Cheltenham Town on Tuesday.

One man, Craig Stanley, will be one very recognisable face to the Spitfires faithful, having played in Hill's squad that finished fourth in the play-offs last term.

Much like at Eastleigh, when he netted against Nuneaton last term, the experienced midfielder scored on his Lincoln debut against Braintree.

And Moyses has hailed the former Aldershot man’s impact.

A moment that personified Stanley’s influence came against Cheltenham.

"It was a case of altering the shape at half-time," explained Moyses about the game with the Robins.

"Their number eight was causing us all sorts of problems, getting in front of the back four, and we never got to grips with that.

"We went to a straight three in the midfield in the second half with Craig Stanley picking him up. That nullified that.

"Stanley kept the team composed. He sat in front of the back four and he talks and keeps the team organised and people respond to his direction."