v Grimsby

[mjt]

Well the end of a great season, Thanks to all players and management for their efforts and also the board .

A good performance today and deserved to win the game but not to be, needed a bit more upfront and only when Cox and Holman came on did we look lively ( sorry but Marks doesnt do it for me ) .

Hope the majority of squad can stay together and add a couple to enhance the playing front - must keep the current back 5 as priority !!!

[dbbn]

Disappointed we started with one up front again, made it very easy for the Fishymen to keep us out. Don't know if Devs was in touch with what was going on at Gateshead; but in the first half we lacked any urgency; whilst Grimsby were out to avoid injuries. With 3 strikers on at the end we looked more threatening. Interesting to see where we go from here having set the bar so high.

[ozbrit]

This was a 2.30am kick off for me, amazing innit I waited 6 months for the UK to put the clock forward and us back meaning kick off came forward from 2am to midnight and Braintree's Saturday matches are on at 5.15 and 5.30pm.

This was a sort of anti-climax end to me, I know that we should be full of praise for the 74point haul and 6th place in the league finish, but got spoilt by our fantastic run and the ground being made up when playing 3 games in 8 days. For a while it looked as if the playoffs were on the cards with points to squander. That said my wish at the start of the season was for 8th place, so we achieved better. Next year I'll be hoping for 5th )

We still have Tuesdays Essex senior cup date with Concord being played at Dagenham in the London Borough of Barking - how quaint of the Essex FA!

Well done Devs'players, board, helpers and fans it's been an exciting ride.

[rustynail]

The game was a bit of "after the Lords Mayor show" and I felt overall the game was flat and the atmosphere quite flat too. Anyway what a great season. It will be excellent if we are able to achieve anything like that again next year.
Lets hope for a good turnout on Tuesday.

[bonzo]

Congratulations to all the players, manager & coaches - we've improved year on year in this league & have proved that we can beat anyone else in this league on our day. We've surprised a lot of people with the quality of our football but they'll have an idea of what to expect next season. Great news that Dev's signed up again now keep this squad together and, with a couple of additions, who knows what we could achieve.
COME ON THE IRON!

[braintreeboy]

Congratulations on our most successful season of all time
Now lets keep most of the squad together n if we do that I feel we can push on again next season

[ironmansimon]

Stand up and take a bow to all the players officals and management who made this our best season ever.
To have been mixing it with the likes of Grimsby,Cambridge, Luton and Barnet is a real testament to how far the team has progressed.
I am already looking forward to next season and wondering what our target should be.
I hope Halifax progress through the play offs as their form is really good and the momentum should take them forward.
Saturdays game was like a damp fart for me though, I thought we looked a better team than them but once again our final touch was lacking.
Reading the NLP today I am so glad Devs has identified the need for a clinical goalscorer, This has been an area of major let down and was there for all to see yesterday. 27 goals at home is a poor return when you look at some of the other clubs around us.
Team ratings for Grimsby game
Nik- 7 Got down well to a couple of efforts
Ryan 7- Did ok but not sure he justified MOTM
Deano 7- So glad he got his award for his efforts for this season and again showed his cleverness yesterday
Alan 7 - Who needs Terry and Cahill or Vidic and Rio, We have got Big Al and Jesus!!
Sam 7 - Most consistant player of the season for me, hope to see him again next year
Matt 6 - Not his most convicing game in an iron shirt, but with him in front of the back two. Solid.
Chez 6 - Like a little ball of energy and always involved but sometimes passes off target
Dan s 6 - If he progress like this season on season he is a must for next year
James 6 - Little bit inconsistant of late and maybe the summer break will do him good
Kenny 7 - Glad to see his touch is back and Lets hope the Captain can navigate his way back for next season
Sean 4 - Big let down yesterday looked isolated and not till subs were made did contribute, Missed a sitter from 2 yards

Subs
Dan H 6 Looked lively and was not afraid to shoot
Luke 7 Y O Y O Y Does he not play anymoe than a few mins, runs at defence and crosses well, I will be shocked to see him in orange next season
Jordan 6 At least he one the headers he went up for but shooting of late has been woeful,

Like I have said before great season an now to build on that for next season.
Just looking at the relegated sides and we need to ensure that we can replace the 22 points we took off them 4 sides
off the ones coming up.

[braintreeboy]

Replacing the 22 points we took off the relegated sides doesnt necessarily mean having to match those results against the 4 teams that come up from connie north/south. Even this season there are results that can be improved upon next season e.g. Lincoln, macc at home, welling at home, Salisbury aswel. The key to achieving even better nxt season though will obviously be to keep the majority of the squad together again and hopefully either a permanent 20 goal a season striker or a nice long Loan deal for one

[ironhorse]

A brilliant season overall. For me if we improve the pitch and not have the same dreadful winter rain then there is a good chance our home record will be a vast improvement, no problem away, all the real points lost were at home. But as everyone has said, if we can keep the core of the squad together and have no mercenaries going for gold then with a couple of additions like the quality of some of our loan players this season to enhance this gutsy and spirited team then lets, as Devs said, get to the safety target quickly and then go from there, if we improve at the same rate as over the last 3 seasons then the play-offs will be the main target. I would prefer to see Halifax or Gateshead go up. Cambridge bring a decent crowd. But I've enjoyed it all both home and away. A big well done to all connected with the Club......maybe a special mention to Dave Green, Bobby Ritchie and Steve Townsend who have toiled relentlessly behind the scenes and to the Chairman and the Board that have kept it real. Bring 2014/15.....gonna be a blast.

The biggest thanks to all the supporters of the Iron home and abroad, the travelling group and the throng behind the goal, in the stands and on the terraces. Thanks for the continued support, bring your friends and family next season its going to be a great year I'm sure.
COME ON YOU IRON.

[4whatitsworth]

Unless I am badly mistaken, the majority of this years squad with the exception of Nik & Chez have now been with us for
2/3 years, and each season we have progressed further up the league table. Wouldn't it be great news if all those that
Devs wants to keep sign on again.

[braintreeboy]

With the exception of maybe Daley who no doubt hasn't played as much as he'd like and there's always gonna be question marks over Holman with Southend constantly watching him throughout the season, I've got a funny feeling we shall keep the rest together

[orangenblue]

A tribute to how good the club is and how great a manager we have in Dev . All we need now is to make the people of Braintree wake up to fact that they have something special on their doorstep.

[mjt]

i would keep Holman if possible and Cox - sorry if it upsets a few but Marks would be the one to go for me and get a replacement in.
I think Cox is a more mobile and faster version of Marks and if played more can develop on.