Post by admin on Jul 19, 2015 11:33:01 GMT
From the Essex Chronicle:
Ex-West Ham United striker on trial at Braintree Town
Danny Cowley has confirmed that Braintree Town are having a look at former West Ham United attacker Anthony Edgar in pre-season.
The ex-Barnet man, who is the cousin of Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, has featured in all three of the Iron's pre-season friendlies so far.
Having made a return from Italy last season to join Bishop's Stortford towards the end of the 2014/15 Vanarama National League South campaign, the 24-year-old is on the hunt for a new contract.
And Cowley admitted that he could be a useful addition if he can fit within the Iron's squad and budget.
He said: "Anthony has played with a Premier League side and there is no doubting his ability.
"I think it is fair to say that he has lost his way a little bit in the last couple of years, for one reason or another.
"Sometimes when players are not in the right environment they can lose their way. We are having a good look at Anthony, certainly.
"Technically, we know that he is plenty good enough to play at this level, but we just have to make a decision on whether we can fit him in within the squad.
"You have to appreciate there are financial restrictions, which means we can probably not have any more that 18 players.
"We are having a good look at him, but he has done well so far."
The Iron continued their pre-season campaign with a 0-0 draw with Millwall on Monday.
That came off the back of a superb 2-1 win over Leyton Orient on Friday and a 2-1 victory over Long Melford on Saturday.
In a busy couple of weeks for the Iron, they welcome Southend United this Friday.
However, despite the heavy workload, Cowley is not concerned about any potential early burnout.
"Pre-season can be a logistical nightmare at times, but I think that we have dealt with it well," Cowley added. "The guys have been in about 11 days over the last few weeks and will be in nine times over the next 12 days.
"That is the process we are in at the moment, so the schedule is very, very heavy and demanding.
"We are a part-time team, but credit to the boys because they have been absolutely fantastic.
"They all have full-time jobs, but we are trying to compete in a full-time league.
"We are not too worried at the moment about the workload, although they will be physically and mentally fatigued.
"It is about the process, so when it gets closer to the season we will look to reduce it and so they have the right recovery time before August 8 and beyond.
"We have been told they [Southend] will bring a strong side down. We are looking forward to playing strong sides and we are pleased with the schedule we have got.
"We like playing professional sides, because they give you instant feedback on your team's organisation and shape.
"Quality players put much more demand on you and ask a lot more of your team and the partnerships within that team."
From the Braintree & Witham Times:
Cowley is pleased with Braintree's progress as the Iron stay unbeaten
Cowley is pleased with Braintree's progress as the Iron stay unbeaten
Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley is pleased with the progress that he is seeing from his team as they continue preparations for the Vanarama National League season.
Cowley’s team had a 2-1 win against League One new boys Southend United on Friday and a 2-2 draw on Saturday at Thurlow Nunn League premier division side Stanway Rovers to stay unbeaten in their pre-season fixtures so far.
The game against Southend saw two goals from Simeon Akinola either side of half-time leave David Mooney’s late penalty as only a consolation for the Shrimpers.
And Akinola was also on target in the Braintree squad game at Rovers the next day.
The Iron came from behind twice to secure a draw, with former West Ham trialist Anthony Edgar getting the other Braintree goal and Cowley believes things are looking positive for his team.
“It’s nice to see progress,” he added.
“By Tuesday they will have been here nine times in 12 days and their commitment has been excellent.
“Let’s not get carried away because we’re still on zero points but we’re certainly moving in the right direction.”
Braintree are due to have another pre-season game at Heybridge Swifts on Monday night, but Tuesday’s friendly at Cressing Road has been cancelled because the Royals don’t have a team available.
Ex-West Ham United striker on trial at Braintree Town
Danny Cowley has confirmed that Braintree Town are having a look at former West Ham United attacker Anthony Edgar in pre-season.
The ex-Barnet man, who is the cousin of Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, has featured in all three of the Iron's pre-season friendlies so far.
Having made a return from Italy last season to join Bishop's Stortford towards the end of the 2014/15 Vanarama National League South campaign, the 24-year-old is on the hunt for a new contract.
And Cowley admitted that he could be a useful addition if he can fit within the Iron's squad and budget.
He said: "Anthony has played with a Premier League side and there is no doubting his ability.
"I think it is fair to say that he has lost his way a little bit in the last couple of years, for one reason or another.
"Sometimes when players are not in the right environment they can lose their way. We are having a good look at Anthony, certainly.
"Technically, we know that he is plenty good enough to play at this level, but we just have to make a decision on whether we can fit him in within the squad.
"You have to appreciate there are financial restrictions, which means we can probably not have any more that 18 players.
"We are having a good look at him, but he has done well so far."
The Iron continued their pre-season campaign with a 0-0 draw with Millwall on Monday.
That came off the back of a superb 2-1 win over Leyton Orient on Friday and a 2-1 victory over Long Melford on Saturday.
In a busy couple of weeks for the Iron, they welcome Southend United this Friday.
However, despite the heavy workload, Cowley is not concerned about any potential early burnout.
"Pre-season can be a logistical nightmare at times, but I think that we have dealt with it well," Cowley added. "The guys have been in about 11 days over the last few weeks and will be in nine times over the next 12 days.
"That is the process we are in at the moment, so the schedule is very, very heavy and demanding.
"We are a part-time team, but credit to the boys because they have been absolutely fantastic.
"They all have full-time jobs, but we are trying to compete in a full-time league.
"We are not too worried at the moment about the workload, although they will be physically and mentally fatigued.
"It is about the process, so when it gets closer to the season we will look to reduce it and so they have the right recovery time before August 8 and beyond.
"We have been told they [Southend] will bring a strong side down. We are looking forward to playing strong sides and we are pleased with the schedule we have got.
"We like playing professional sides, because they give you instant feedback on your team's organisation and shape.
"Quality players put much more demand on you and ask a lot more of your team and the partnerships within that team."
From the Braintree & Witham Times:
Cowley is pleased with Braintree's progress as the Iron stay unbeaten
Cowley is pleased with Braintree's progress as the Iron stay unbeaten
Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley is pleased with the progress that he is seeing from his team as they continue preparations for the Vanarama National League season.
Cowley’s team had a 2-1 win against League One new boys Southend United on Friday and a 2-2 draw on Saturday at Thurlow Nunn League premier division side Stanway Rovers to stay unbeaten in their pre-season fixtures so far.
The game against Southend saw two goals from Simeon Akinola either side of half-time leave David Mooney’s late penalty as only a consolation for the Shrimpers.
And Akinola was also on target in the Braintree squad game at Rovers the next day.
The Iron came from behind twice to secure a draw, with former West Ham trialist Anthony Edgar getting the other Braintree goal and Cowley believes things are looking positive for his team.
“It’s nice to see progress,” he added.
“By Tuesday they will have been here nine times in 12 days and their commitment has been excellent.
“Let’s not get carried away because we’re still on zero points but we’re certainly moving in the right direction.”
Braintree are due to have another pre-season game at Heybridge Swifts on Monday night, but Tuesday’s friendly at Cressing Road has been cancelled because the Royals don’t have a team available.