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#335102 The Career of Fola
Fola
With sixteen matches to go, it really does look like a mid-table finish for us if we keep this up. We are 12 points off the Play Offs and 9 points off relegation so obviously that is a worry. We need to ensure that we push away from the relegation zone. We have just over a week until the end of the transfer window so I may look to bring in a few new faces, still not decided on that one at the moment.
#335100 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Davis ©, Fry, Paine, Habergham; Edgar*, Isaac, Miles, Sparkes; Odubade**, Cox***.
Subs: Phillips, Brundle, Akinola*, Modeste**, Cheek***.
On paper, Forest Green have a much better side than we have. Fortunately for us, they are having a terrible season and currently sitting in the relegation zone. We should of won this match as well and it's this failure to puts teams away that will let us down in our Play Off push. Simeon Akinola scored a great goal to put us ahead but within moment Forest Green pulled it back.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Daniel Sparkes (7.4)
League Position: 15th
Next Opponent: Chester (H)
#335099 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Davis ©, Miller, Paine, Habergham; Modeste, Woodyard, Miles*, Sparkes; Guthrie**, Cox***.
Subs: Fry*, Isaac**, Edgar, Akinola***, Cheek.
Getting a point with ten men should please me but this is definitely a kind of match that we should be winning. We changed our shape a little when Woodyard was sent off and Kurtis Guthrie put us in front with a great strike. However Chez Isaac gave the ball away and we were punished with less than 20 minutes to go.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Kurtis Guthrie (7.0)
League Position: 14th
Next Opponent: Forest Green (A)
#335087 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Davis ©, Miller, Paine, Habergham; Modeste*, Woodyard, Miles, Sparkes; Guthrie**, Cox***.
Subs: Fry, Isaac, Edgar*, Akinola**, Cheek***.
Fantastic performance with a massively changed side as we managed to beat Torquay thanks to a late Micheal Cheek header. Modeste, Miles (from the Under 18 side) and Cox all made their first appearances of the season and all impressed. We changed to a flat 4-4-2 and it seemed to work. Nice to finally get a win under our belt and hopefully we can push on from here and move higher up the table.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Micheal Cheek (8.1)
League Position: 15th
Next Opponent: Boreham Wood (H)
#335085 The Career of Fola
Fola
Our match against Boreham Wood got called off due to a waterlogged pitch so we play Torquay next instead. Yemi Odubade has joined us on loan until the end of the season from fellow Conference side Eastleigh. He can play on either wing, behind the front man or up top. He's quite quick too so hopefully he will be a good player for us.
#335084 The Career of Fola
Fola
Jordan Cox
Jordan Cox has returned from his loan spell at Conference South side Whitehawk. Cox scored eight times for Whitehawk in is six month loan spell and I hope he can be the man to freshen up our forward line. In other news, I have also signed a new player on loan until the end of the season.
Ricky Modeste has joined on a loan deal until the end of the season from fellow Conference side Dover Athletic. He can play on either wing and his pace should be an asset for us. He will be a great impact player to bring off the bench against tired defenders. Looking forward to seeing how he does for us.
#335082 The Career of Fola
Fola
Weirdly, only two days after my meeting regarding my poor performance I have been given a new contract by the board. To be honest with you, I am absolutely over the moon to have signed a new deal. I have got a contract until the end of next season. I have a few new signings on the horizon and I am sure a bit of fresh blood will help find our form. Also, I have extended Kurtis Guthrie's loan until the end of the season.
#335077 The Career of Fola
Fola
As expected, the board are not happy with my current performance as Braintree manager. I managed to talk my way out of it but if we continue to slip up, my job will be gone. We have now failed to win in our last five matches.
#335076 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Miller*, Clerima, Fry; Edgar, Paine ©, Crawford**, Isaac, Sparkes; Akinola, Strutton***.
Subs: Brundle*, Habergham, Davis**, Guthrie, Cheek***.
The poor form continues as we were convincingly beaten by a poor Welling side. They are in the relegation zone at the moment but they battered us all over the pitch. Thank god that the January transfer window is coming up soon as changes are needed. I am sure that if this kind of form continues the board will not be happy.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Matt Paine (7.1)
League Position: 16th
Next Opponent: Boreham Wood (H)
#335075 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Miller, Paine, Fry; Edgar, Davis ©, Woodyard, Isaac, Sparkes*; Strutton**, Guthrie***.
Subs: Clerima, Habergham*, Crawford, Akinola**, Cheek***.
Well, the positive was Simeon Akinola scored his first goal in 18 matches. The negative, was was that we were absolutely terrible. We should be beating teams like Boreham Wood. We are on some terribly poor form at the moment and I really hope it can improve soon. The transfer window opens in a few days where I will be looking to strengthen the squad.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Kenny Davis (7.3)
League Position: 14th
Next Opponent: Welling (H)
#335074 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Miller, Paine, Fry; Isaac, Davis ©, Woodyard, Brundle*, Habergham**; Akinola***, Guthrie.
Subs: Edgar*, Sparkes**, Crawford, Strutton***, Cheek.
Great result against top of the league away from home. It looked as though we were going to struggle when Wrexham went ahead early on but substitute Charlie Strutton headed home after some great work from Kurtis Guthrie. Hope we can spring on from here and get some form as the Play Offs are slipping away.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Kurtis Guthrie (9.0)
League Position: 15th
Next Opponent: Boreham Wood (A)
#335073 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Miller, Paine, Fry; Edgar, Davis ©, Woodyard*, Isaac, Sparkes; Akinola**, Guthrie***.
Subs: Habergham, Brundle*, Crawford, Strutton**, Cheek***.
Really not too fussed about the FA Trophy but it's still annoying to lose so late. I went for a 3-5-2 formation just as a change to see if we could stop the rot and it nearly worked. We have top of the league Wrexham next so it will be a tough one.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Anthony Edgar (9.0)
Next Opponent: Wrexham (H)
#335072 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Marrs*, Miller, Paine, Habergham; Edgar, Davis ©, Woodyard, Sparkes; Akinola**, Crawford***.
Subs: Isaac*, Brundle, Marks, Strutton**, Cheek***.
We actually played really well against a strong Tranmere side. We more than deserved a draw before Liam Marrs, in his first game back since injury, decided to give them the ball in our own box with less than five minutes to go. He won't be seeing first team action for a while after this. Absolutely terrible. We face Kidderminster next in the FA Trophy, really not bothered about this tournament.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Matt Paine (7.1)
League Position: 15th
Next Opponent: Kidderminster (A)
#335057 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Davis ©, Miller, Paine, Habergham; Edgar, Isaac, Woodyard, Sparkes; Strutton, Crawford.
Subs: Clerima, Brundle, Marks, Akinola, Cheek.
Terrible, absolutely terrible. Torquay were sitting in the relegation zone and hadn't even scored for six games. We were outclassed throughout and deserved to lose. This inconsistency may cost me my job in the future. I have asked the board about a new deal but at the moment, they aren't interested.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Chez Isaac (7.2)
League Position: 14th
Next Opponent: Tranmere (A)
#335050 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Davis ©, Miller, Paine, Habergham; Edgar, Isaac, Woodyard*, Sparkes; Akinola**, Crawford***.
Subs: Clerima, Brundle*, Marks**, Strutton***, Cheek.
Brilliant result as we convincingly managed to beat Play Off contenders Kidderminster. Daniel Sparkes and Anthony Edgar have been quality on the wings for me and have chipped in with some important goals for me so far. Sparkes has now managed 7 goals and is our top goalscorer while Edgar has managed 6. All we need to get Akinola firing and we'll be sorted.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Sam Habergham (9.0)
League Position: 11th
Next Opponent: Torquay (H)
#335046 The Career of Fola
Fola
It's a shame as he's done alright for me recently. I had been starting him recently and his pace was hurting teams. Even more pressure added to Akinola to find the goals for us.
#335045 The Career of Fola
Fola
I bigged this guy up massively when I took over at the club. He scored two in our first game of the season but since then has struggled massively. As @One Night In Grimsby said, he's a good player in this league, he just needs to gain some confidence. I will be sticking with him for the time being, I just hope he can repay my faith or I will be looking to make changes.
#335040 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Davis ©, Miller, Paine, Habergham; Edgar, Isaac, Woodyard, Sparkes; Akinola*, Guthrie**.
Subs: Phillips, Clerima, Strutton, Crawford*, Cheek**.
The inconsistency strikes again as despite playing quite well, we managed to lose to Halifax. Kurtis Guthrie had two clear chances in the first half but hit the post on both occasions. As we pushed for the win, we were hit on the counter and Halifax went away with all three points. Not good enough and need to show some cutting edge in front of goal.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Alex Woodyard (7.8)
League Position: 14th
Next Opponent: Kidderminster (H)
#335037 The Career of Fola
Fola
So, with twenty matches gone we currently sit in tenth position. There are a few teams around us who have a game in hand on us but overall, quite happy with where we are at the moment. We are quite inconsistent which we obviously need to try and change. We are six points off the Play Offs and ten points off relegation. We need to ensure we keep within touching distance of the Play Offs and then we can start to dream, still twenty six games to play though so still early days.
#335035 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Davis ©, Miller, Paine, Habergham; Isaac, Woodyard, Sparkes; Crawford*, Guthrie**, Strutton***.
Subs: Phillips, Clerima, Edgar*, Marks**, Cheek***.
Really happy with our comeback as we managed a great away win against Woking. We went two down early on but I made a few changes, brought on Edgar for Crawford and it worked wonders. We changed from a 4-3-1-2 to 4-4-2 when Edgar came on and he changed the game. Hopefully this result will get us back on track and lift the confidence up again.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Anthony Edgar (9.1)
League Position: 10th
Next Opponent: Halifax (A)
#335020 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Phillips, Miller, Paine, Habergham; Edgar, Isaac, Davis ©, Woodyard, Sparkes; Akinola*.
Subs: Fry, Guthrie, Strutton, Crawford, Cheek*.
Another lacklustre performance as we lost at home to Macclesfield. We deserved to lose to be honest and I just hope the lad's can regain their confidence and get back to winning games. Akinola missed a few sitters for us, I will probably drop him for the next game.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Alex Woodyard (7.1)
League Position: 15th
Next Opponent: Woking (A)
#335018 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Phillips, Fry, Paine, Habergham; Edgar, Isaac, Davis ©*, Woodyard, Sparkes**; Akinola***.
Subs: Clerima, Guthrie*, Strutton, Crawford**, Cheek***.
Embarrassing performance as we crash out the FA Cup after a loss to Conference South side Bath. We dominated the first half but the second half was a shambles. Would of loved a good old Cup run as well as it would of helped our finances greatly.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Kenny Davis (7.3)
Next Opponent: Macclesfield (H)
#335015 The Career of Fola
Fola
#334942 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Phillips, Fry, Paine, Habergham; Isaac, Davis ©, Woodyard, Sparkes; Guthrie, Cheek*.
Subs: Clerima, Akinola*, Strutton, Crawford, Edgar.
Didn't deserve anything out of this one. We looked lacklustre all over the pitch and rarely threatened the Lincoln goal. Our inconsistency in the league is very frustrating. We have the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup next against Conference South side Bath. I would love a Cup run so hopefully we can turn up for that one.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Alex Woodyard (6.9)
League Position: 13th
Next Opponent: Bath (H)
#334922 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Phillips, Clerima, Paine, Habergham; Isaac, Davis ©, Woodyard, Sparkes*; Akinola**, Cheek***.
Subs: Fry*, Guthrie**, Strutton, Crawford, Edgar***.
For the second time this season we have managed to beat Dover by two goals to one. Kurtis Guthrie was the star for me as he came off the bench to win us the game and get Man Of The Match. Fully deserved win and hopefully we can take this form to the next game. We are currently sitting comfortably in mid table which is pleasing, just hope we can keep up this form.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Kurtis Guthrie (8.2)
League Position: 12th
Next Opponent: Lincoln (A)
#334921 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Phillips, Miller, Paine, Habergham; Edgar*, Isaac**, Davis ©, Woodyard, Sparkes; Akinola***.
Subs: Clerima, Guthrie*, Strutton, Crawford**, Cheek***.
Brilliant result as we came away with a draw against high flying Grimsby. We more than held our own in this match and had our own chances to win this one. We haven't scored for three matches now so obviously that needs to change but overall, really happy with how we're defending at the moment.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Alex Woodyard (7.6)
League Position: 13th
Next Opponent: Dover (H)
#334920 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Phillips, Miller, Paine, Habergham; Edgar, Isaac*, Davis ©, Woodyard, Sparkes**; Akinola***.
Subs: Clerima, Guthrie*, Strutton, Crawford**, Cheek***.
Stopped the rot of heavy defeats with a good draw away at Cheltenham. We actually played really well and Micheal Cheek could of won it for us near the end but his header hit the car. We set up defensively with Kenny Davis playing behind Akinola in the forward positions. We face second placed Grimsby next so that will be a tough one
Braintree Man Of The Match: Matt Paine (7.6)
League Position: 12th
Next Opponent: Grimsby (H)
#334919 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Phillips, Clerima*, Paine, Habergham; Sparkes, Isaac, Davis ©, Woodyard, Edgar**; Akinola.
Subs: Miller*, Brundle, Strutton**, Crawford, Cheek.
Another battering and another game where I got the tactics all wrong. I looked again to take the game to Eastleigh where we should of set up defensive and maybe we could of grabbed a goal from somewhere. We weren't really in this game at any point and deserved to lose. We face Cheltenham next which will be another tough match for us.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Kenny Davis (7.6)
League Position: 13th
Next Opponent: Cheltenham (A)
#334908 The Career of Fola
Fola
Kurtis Guthrie has joined us on a three month loan from fellow Vanarama Conference side Forest Green Rovers. He has yet to feature this season and is currently out injured for 2 weeks with a strained stomach muscle. We don't have to pay any of his wages and he offers us good cover on either wing or up top. Simeon Akinola has been out of form of late so Guthrie could be a good back up. He can finish, good in the air and he's quite pacey so should be an asset for us.
#334907 The Career of Fola
Fola
Starting XI: Walker; Phillips ©, Clerima, Miller*, Habergham; Sparkes, Isaac, Paine**, Woodyard, Edgar; Akinola***.
Subs: Spiess, Brundle*, Strutton**, Marks, Cheek***.
Wow. I was not expecting that. I changed the tactic round after our win against Woking as I thought we could take the game to Guiseley but it completely back fired and we were battered. The score line makes it sound like we were in the game and we weren't. Chez Isaac scored a screamer and Charlie Strutton scored his first goal of the season but they were the only positives.
Braintree Man Of The Match: Chez Isaac (8.3)
League Position: 11th
Next Opponent: Eastleigh (A)