Post by admin on Jul 2, 2015 22:31:26 GMT
Pre-season has been 'brilliant' under Cowley says Braintree Town winger Dan Sparkes
By Braintree Chronicle | Posted: July 02, 2015
JOYS OF PRE-SEASON: Dan Sparkes has enjoyed training sessions
Dan Sparkes believes there is already a "strong respect" between the Braintree Town players and new boss Danny Cowley.
The Iron are back into pre-season training under the new regime ahead of the 2015/16 Vanarama National League Premier campaign.
And the midfielder has admitted that intensity levels have been stepped up during the sessions.
The 22-year-old said: "It has been brilliant and the lads seem to be enjoying it.
"We are working at a much higher tempo than we have done before which has taken a little bit of getting used to.
"It [training] has been a lot different but everything has been prepared for us by the gaffer and Nicky [Cowley, assistant manager].
"He [Danny Cowley] has been really easy to approach off the pitch, which is great.
"When it comes to training he is very serious and knows exactly what he wants from us.
"The amount of work he must do away from the training ground is incredible.
"But he has also been easy to talk to so I think there is already a strong respect between him and the players.
"There is a good atmosphere around the dressing room and I think everyone is looking forward to a good season."
Sparkes enjoyed his best season for the Iron last term, scoring ten goals and getting an England C call-up, the U23 team for non-league players.
And, despite an injury at Eastleigh preventing him from linking up with the international team for the first time in September, Sparkes is hoping for another consistent season.
"Last year I thought that I had a good season," he added.
"I got a good run in the team, which is what I needed to show what I can do.
"One of my targets last season was to try to get into the England C side, it is just a shame that I picked up the injury.
"But first and foremost I just want to do well for Braintree and then we will see what happens after that.
"The aim for this season is just to improve and do better than last year."
The National League releases the fixture list at 1pm tomorrow (Friday), with the new season beginning on August 8.
The Iron have often been given a rough deal when it comes to long midweek away trips, with journeys to Torquay United, Southport and Bristol Rovers all on Tuesday nights last year.
Sparkes added: "We have been stitched up a little bit with the fixture list over the last couple of seasons.
"But at times that is when we have played at our best.
"Like last season we went to Torquay on a Tuesday night and won 5-1.
"So it would be nice to have a kinder fixture list, but we won't worry about it too much."
For more articles on Braintree Town FC click the Essex Chronicle banner above.
Braintree boss is happy with deal for Chez
Chez Isaac. Picture: ROGER ADAMS
Simon Spurgeon / 01:00 Friday 3 July 2015 / Sport
Chez Isaac is back training with Braintree Town after signing a contract with them, but it is a deal that could allow him to seal a potential move into the Football League this season.
Iron manager Danny Cowley said he sees the 22-year-old midfielder as a big part of his plans if he stays at the club and feels his high-tempo playing style will fit in perfectly with the way that he wants the team to operate in the Vanarama National League next year.
So he is delighted to have Isaac, who made 45 appearances for Braintree and scored three goals last year, back at the club for the start of their pre-season training.
However, he appreciates a player with ambition to play full-time football will have a hunger to follow their dream and has arranged a deal that will give Isaac flexibility to speak to clubs while still keeping him close and giving him the chance to stay at Braintree.
Cowley said: “Chez has signed a contract, but he is ambitious and wants to play full-time and ideally in the Football League.
“So we’ve put an agreement together so that if a club comes in for him prior to the first of August then there will be a compensation fee for him.
“After that, though, he will become our player for the season."
See this week's paper for the full version of this story.
By Braintree Chronicle | Posted: July 02, 2015
JOYS OF PRE-SEASON: Dan Sparkes has enjoyed training sessions
Dan Sparkes believes there is already a "strong respect" between the Braintree Town players and new boss Danny Cowley.
The Iron are back into pre-season training under the new regime ahead of the 2015/16 Vanarama National League Premier campaign.
And the midfielder has admitted that intensity levels have been stepped up during the sessions.
The 22-year-old said: "It has been brilliant and the lads seem to be enjoying it.
"We are working at a much higher tempo than we have done before which has taken a little bit of getting used to.
"It [training] has been a lot different but everything has been prepared for us by the gaffer and Nicky [Cowley, assistant manager].
"He [Danny Cowley] has been really easy to approach off the pitch, which is great.
"When it comes to training he is very serious and knows exactly what he wants from us.
"The amount of work he must do away from the training ground is incredible.
"But he has also been easy to talk to so I think there is already a strong respect between him and the players.
"There is a good atmosphere around the dressing room and I think everyone is looking forward to a good season."
Sparkes enjoyed his best season for the Iron last term, scoring ten goals and getting an England C call-up, the U23 team for non-league players.
And, despite an injury at Eastleigh preventing him from linking up with the international team for the first time in September, Sparkes is hoping for another consistent season.
"Last year I thought that I had a good season," he added.
"I got a good run in the team, which is what I needed to show what I can do.
"One of my targets last season was to try to get into the England C side, it is just a shame that I picked up the injury.
"But first and foremost I just want to do well for Braintree and then we will see what happens after that.
"The aim for this season is just to improve and do better than last year."
The National League releases the fixture list at 1pm tomorrow (Friday), with the new season beginning on August 8.
The Iron have often been given a rough deal when it comes to long midweek away trips, with journeys to Torquay United, Southport and Bristol Rovers all on Tuesday nights last year.
Sparkes added: "We have been stitched up a little bit with the fixture list over the last couple of seasons.
"But at times that is when we have played at our best.
"Like last season we went to Torquay on a Tuesday night and won 5-1.
"So it would be nice to have a kinder fixture list, but we won't worry about it too much."
For more articles on Braintree Town FC click the Essex Chronicle banner above.
Braintree boss is happy with deal for Chez
Chez Isaac. Picture: ROGER ADAMS
Simon Spurgeon / 01:00 Friday 3 July 2015 / Sport
Chez Isaac is back training with Braintree Town after signing a contract with them, but it is a deal that could allow him to seal a potential move into the Football League this season.
Iron manager Danny Cowley said he sees the 22-year-old midfielder as a big part of his plans if he stays at the club and feels his high-tempo playing style will fit in perfectly with the way that he wants the team to operate in the Vanarama National League next year.
So he is delighted to have Isaac, who made 45 appearances for Braintree and scored three goals last year, back at the club for the start of their pre-season training.
However, he appreciates a player with ambition to play full-time football will have a hunger to follow their dream and has arranged a deal that will give Isaac flexibility to speak to clubs while still keeping him close and giving him the chance to stay at Braintree.
Cowley said: “Chez has signed a contract, but he is ambitious and wants to play full-time and ideally in the Football League.
“So we’ve put an agreement together so that if a club comes in for him prior to the first of August then there will be a compensation fee for him.
“After that, though, he will become our player for the season."
See this week's paper for the full version of this story.