IAN Baird has had his ups and downs with Andy Forbes during his four-and-a-half years in charge of Eastleigh.
But the Silverlake boss was brimming with praise for Forbes following Saturday’s 4-0 romp at second-to-bottom Hampton & Richmond which lifted the Spitfires to eighth in the Blue Square Bet South.
Forbes, once a prolific striker, rejoined the club last summer, principally as centre-half, and for much of this season has done a solid job alongside skipper Tom Jordan in the heart of defence.
But, with Baird opting to give Michael Green a rest, he was asked to fill in at left-back on Saturday, allowing new signing Gary Elphick to partner Jordan.
The 32-year-old’s response was to serve up a near faultless performance which had his manager drooling.
“Andy Forbes was outstanding,” said Baird. “He’s a multi-talented footballer who, in my opinion, should have achieved a hell of a lot more.
“Ask the players and I’m sure they’d tell you he could be our player-of-the-season. He’s played right back, centre back, left back and up front and has filled every position superbly."
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