Braintree T H 7th December

[Irishadrian]

A cursory glance at their record  suggests they are having a moderate season  mid table 4 home wins 4 away wins

However after the recent departure of their manager citing financial reasons theyve  had a very poor run

Last 7 league games  W1 D 1 L5  goals for 7 against 22 points  4/21

They have easily the worst defence in our league  6 goals worse than the next poorest

All this suggests to me that we should be expecting to improve our already excellent home record

 

[GlenSTFC]

Oh no... ??‍♂️

[Bernie Gogan]

No easy games in this league etc........

[Reading Rebel]

The only comment I will add to Adrian's match review is that Braintree are one place below the play-offs in 8th place as opposed to mid table. 

[sdelaney]

Believe George Borg joined the new management team recently as we know from the past he likes to give verbal to the Slough supporters.

[Irishadrian]

1 hour ago, Reading Rebel said:

The only comment I will add to Adrian's match review is that Braintree are one place below the play-offs in 8th place as opposed to mid table. 

With exactly the poor results I quoted in their last 7 games  that's what's relevant now imo

1 hour ago, sdelane said:

Believe George Borg joined the new management team recently as we know from the past he likes to give verbal to the Slough supporters.

If only it were only verbal with Borgs teams I expect them to be a bit more "robust"

[sdelaney]

35 minutes ago, Irishadrian said:

With exactly the poor results I quoted in their last 7 games  that's what's relevant now imo

If only it were only verbal with Borgs teams I expect them to be a bit more "robust"

I agree with you Irishadrian his teams that we have faced over the years have always been tough teams to beat.

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, Irishadrian said:

With exactly the poor results I quoted in their last 7 games  that's what's relevant now imo

If only it were only verbal with Borgs teams I expect them to be a bit more "robust"

But apart from that, for a team that have had to rebuild, would you say they are having quite a good season in 8th place just one place outside the play-offs?

Edited December 2, 2019 by Reading Rebel

[Curtis]

What a great opportunity to put ourselves possibly 11 points clear of 8th place, and firmly established in a play-off position.

[Irishadrian]

40 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

But apart from that, for a team that have had to rebuild, would you say they are having quite a good season in 8th place just one place outside the play-offs?

RR You are like a terrier with a bone  sometimes!  Historic results imo aren't  relevant Its a fact that coming into our match theyve managed 4  league points in 21 and of course they had their own Concord moment  being throw  out of the trophy on their own ground by a team nineteenth in the Southern League South  If we cant feel more confident about this one  when will we ever?

[Reading Rebel]

6 minutes ago, Irishadrian said:

RR You are like a terrier with a bone  sometimes!  Historic results imo aren't  relevant Its a fact that coming into our match theyve managed 4  league points in 21 and of course they had their own Concord moment  being throw  out of the trophy on their own ground by a team nineteenth in the Southern League South  If we cant feel more confident about this one  when will we ever?

Just like to try and get any incorrect facts corrected Ade.

On that point surely you mean historic results are relevant  

[Irishadrian]

No what happened in the past doesn't really reflect the present

We are third now look where we were after 3 games back in August

Braintree are 8th because of early month results .

[Irishadrian]

Of course everything I've written on this thread is without knowing the latest on our injuries which could affect events Does anyone have an update?

[Reading Rebel]

Must admit I'm really confused as to whether what's happened in the past means anything or not.

[3spirit]

13 hours ago, Irishadrian said:

RR You are like a terrier with a bone  sometimes!  Historic results imo aren't  relevant Its a fact that coming into our match theyve managed 4  league points in 21 and of course they had their own Concord moment  being throw  out of the trophy on their own ground by a team nineteenth in the Southern League South  If we cant feel more confident about this one  when will we ever?

I'm not a Braintree expert but when the season commenced under the then new manager Glenn Driver, he had a major rebuild to do and signed a lot of young players, with many coming from the level below. Admirably his team looked to be gelling well and from what I read, he really impressed with the football they were playing and how they had adapted to life in the National League South. It's been a major blow, though, now he's left. 

Appointing player manager Jake Hutchings and assistant George Borg hasn't yet led to a revival of fortunes but they did turn over Hemel Hempstead, so they shouldn't be taken lightly but it's fair to say that since Hutchings and Borg have arrived results have suffered and it's not going to be a quick fix for them, as they are chopping and changing personnel at a rate of knots, which is never great for team cohesion and co-ordination on the field of play.

On a positive note, to me Slough are playing them at a perfect time to garner the points off them.

Edited December 3, 2019 by 3spirit

[michaelSTFC]

Would love to see George Borg get another kick in the balls, courtesy of the Rebels.

[Irishadrian]

Yes we will have to be careful he alway encourages his teams at best to play just on the edge of legal

[3spirit]

14 hours ago, Irishadrian said:

Yes we will have to be careful he alway encourages his teams at best to play just on the edge of legal

I would think 'the tank' [ Guy Hollis] will be back for us on Saturday. He gives as good as he gets. Not a dirty player but certainly good to have when sides want to mix it. I think we've under used him so far this season but understandable given the team's run of form. Certainly a handy player to have in the squad, just hope he doesn't get disillusioned being in and out of the team, as he would get a lot of offers for his services elsewhere. Sam Togwell probably gets favoured because of his reading of the game and his leadership skills but Guy is no mug and we're lucky to have him at our club. It's hard for any centre back to be in and out of the side and for me Guy plays better when he has a run of games, as he seems to improve with every game and it's never easy to fit seamlessly back into the fold, when you play for other teams[loan etc] but we're certainly fortunate to have him to call on.  

Have we ever played Guy Hollis, Sam Togwell and Mark Nisbet as three centre backs yet? I've never seen it but someone else might have seen it, those that watch every game. I think Mark has slipped into the left back slot on occasion,with Guy and Sam as centre halves but as far as I'm aware we have never played the three of them together, with wing backs. Because of Slough's decent form, it is the wrong time to try it but if Slough struggle defensively at some point or for another attacking option, it surely would make sense to have a look at it, especially as we have vitality, energy and strength on both wings now.      

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, 3spirit said:

I would think 'the tank' [ Guy Hollis] will be back for us on Saturday. He gives as good as he gets. Not a dirty player but certainly good to have when sides want to mix it. I think we've under used him so far this season but understandable given the team's run of form. Certainly a handy player to have in the squad, just hope he doesn't get disillusioned being in and out of the team, as he would get a lot of offers for his services elsewhere. Sam Togwell probably gets favoured because of his reading of the game and his leadership skills but Guy is no mug and we're lucky to have him at our club. It's hard for any centre back to be in and out of the side and for me Guy plays better when he has a run of games, as he seems to improve with every game and it's never easy to fit seamlessly back into the fold, when you play for other teams[loan etc] but we're certainly fortunate to have him to call on.  

Have we ever played Guy Hollis, Sam Togwell and Mark Nisbet as three centre backs yet? I've never seen it but someone else might have seen it, those that watch every game. I think Mark has slipped into the left back slot on occasion,with Guy and Sam as centre halves but as far as I'm aware we have never played the three of them together, with wing backs. Because of Slough's decent form, it is the wrong time to try it but if Slough struggle defensively at some point or for another attacking option, it surely would make sense to have a look at it, especially as we have vitality, energy and strength on both wings now.      

With Nis injured it's almost certain that Guy will be back this week after his game time with another club to get himself fit.

Not sure to the extent or how many times but certainly Guy has picked up a few injuries this season which is probably why, along with the good form of other players, he has been in and out of the side.

Stand to be corrected but cannot remember Nis playing at full back this season or in fact the last time he played in that position. 

Edited December 4, 2019 by Reading Rebel

[Rebellier]

If Braintree want to "mix it" than we need Ben Harris on from the start to er.."earn" a penalty or two....