1: I like Eccleston as an actor.
As Raymond Calitri in Gone In 60 Seconds, and as the Duke of Norfolk in Elizabeth, he was great.

As the Doctor?
Not so much, imho.

Of course, keep in mind that I may be biased. Tennant was my first doctor, and after watching him for one season, THEN I saw a re-run of an Eccleston episode (with Rose and the dalek that felt emotion when looking into the light). Just didn't like him as the Doctor.

It will most definitely take me time, I think, to get used to someone else being the Doctor. But I look forward to a new experience, and I think it'll be interesting to see this young actor take on the role. Will he try to fit himself into it, or will he make it fit him?