Post by admin on Aug 2, 2015 9:24:34 GMT
From the Braintree & Witham Times
Marks looks to utilise his talent in a different way for Braintree Town
Marks looks to utilise his talent in a different way for Braintree Town
SEAN Marks is looking forward to showing Braintree Town fans parts of his game this season that they may not have seen for a while.
When Danny Cowley took over as Iron manager at the end of last season, the 29-year-old striker was one of the first to commit himself by signing a fresh deal and the new boss was quick to acknowledge his value to the club.
However, he said he didn’t want Marks to be the Iron’s “battering ram”.
The experienced front man had got used to former manager Alan Devonshire regularly employing him in a role that saw balls played up to him and other members of the forward unit operating off the service he provided.
It was a physical role that meant Marks came into conflict with opposing defenders, but he is looking forward to having his talents used in other ways under the leadership of Danny and his brother and assistant boss Nicky.
He said: “I think Danny and Nicky know that historically I have been the team’s battering ram.
“I don’t mind that and I’ll take on that role, but there’s more to my game.
“What they are good at is they’ll find ways to get you into scoring areas and hone your skills.
“Having patterns of play that help you, rather than the historical role of crashing it up to me, having a fight with a couple of centre-halves and then everyone else playing off me.
“It is quite nice to have a recognition that we can play so let’s do it, not just have a routine of crashing it forward and squeezing up.
“It’s quite refreshing but it’s one of those situations where we need to be pragmatic.
“There will be times when we can’t do that and we need to be flexible enough to know if it’s not working and maybe we will go more direct.
“That’s something I have seen from the management team.
“They do recognise when to do that whereas sometimes last season we did just keep doing it and hoping we’d get it, but sometimes we didn’t get it.
“I think you will see a different Braintree.
“It’s not going to be so direct, there will be more passes and more touches and we will break against teams more.
“If we can do that and still do the basics that if we need to go long, we go long, that will be really effective in this league.
“I think it can be a really positive season.
“Everyone who knows us and the resources we have, knows we should aim to not be relegated.
“We all know that, but with this bunch of players and knowing how good they are, I think a top-half finish is what we should aim for.
“Anything more is a bonus.
“I’m a firm believer that once we get to the 50-point mark, we can start playing and enjoying ourselves more.
“It’s not by fluke that we have done well in this league so far, though, and it’s about time we got recognition for what we are.
“Maybe it’s time we should see ourselves as being mid-table and if we get anything more then it will be just desserts.”
Braintree Town's Davis wants the Iron to hit the ground running
Braintree Town's Davis wants the Iron to hit the ground running
KENNY Davis knows how important it is for Braintree Town to have a good start to their Vanarama National League campaign this year.
With new manager Danny Cowley coming in and a number of changes being made to the Iron’s squad this summer, there will be a fresh feeling when they kick-off the season at Chester on August 8.
But while it is Braintree’s fifth consecutive season in the top flight of English non-league football, Davis has drawn parallels with how it was in their first year and he wants the new-look team to replicate the early success they had then.
He said: “I think it’s still getting to 50 points that has to be our main focus, but we do need to make sure we make a strong start.
“We’re a new team and a good early spell will give us confidence.
“That’s just like when we first came up (into the Conference Premier).
“We lost the first game, but then went on a good run which gave us great confidence.
“It’s a busy start, but that’s no different to other years and it’s been proved before that a busy run suits us.
“We always seem to do well in a period when we have a lot of games.
“Hopefully we’ll take it in our stride, do well and it will breed confidence.” Braintree conclude their pre-season fixtures with a trip to Vanarama National League South side Ebbsfleet United on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Ebbsfleet knocked Braintree out of the FA Trophy last season and the Iron will be looking to head into the start of the season in a positive manner.
Davis has already been on the scoresheet a couple of times during their summer fixtures and after scoring eight from his 41 appearances last season, the 27-year-old said that he is looking to pose a bigger goal threat from midfield this year.
“Personally, I think I can get more goals in open play,” he added.
“I know I got five or six penalties last year, but I want to be a bigger goal threat this year.
“I think I can do that, but we’ve got more goals throughout the team now – as you can see from our pre-season.
“Across all our friendlies, all of our strikers have got goals and that can only be a positive.”
From The Essex Chronicle
Leyton Orient trialist Woodyard close to signing for Braintree Town
AVAILABLE FOR HIRE: Goalkeeper Nathan McDonald has been made available for loan by Braintree
Braintree Town look set to complete the signing of midfielder Alex Woodyard this week.
The 22-year-old former Concord Rangers man had been on trial at Leyton Orient and played against the Iron in a pre-season friendly for the O's.
But he failed to earn a deal at the East London club and Iron boss Danny Cowley, who managed Woodyard at the Beach Boys, has made no secret of wanting to bring him to the Cressing Road Stadium.
Woodyard, who was selected by England C towards the end of last season, played for Braintree in Tuesday night's 2-1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge.
Cowley said: "We're hopeful, it's pretty close. He played for me at Concord and we see him as a player who is on an upward curve and someone who will only get better and better.
"We want players like that, who have a capacity to improve. He's very good at turning possession over and he does well in possession, he's always open to accept the ball.
"We know we can play through him but he's always been good at winning the ball and when you have a player like that, then it gives your other players an extra five per cent."
One player set to leave Cressing Road is goalkeeper Nathan Mcdonald, who has been made available for loan.
The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Enfield Town, but had returned to the club this summer with the aim of securing the number one shirt following the departure of Nick Hamann.
However, with the arrival of Will Norris on loan from Cambridge United, Cowley says he was left with a difficult decision.
"Nathan has come back and been exceptional," said Cowley. "His attitude and application have been fantastic and it's a tough call between him and Will.
"It's the hardest decision I've had to make as Braintree Town manager, but I just felt it was the right decision with the type of players that we've got.
"I felt Will gives us a little bit more presence and physicality when coming off his line.
"Four clubs have made concrete offers for Nathan and it's probably the best move for his career.
"We will look at bringing a younger number two in, but there will be a 24 hour recall on Nathan in case the worst happens."
From the Essex Chronicle By Stuart Ballard
'If Walker can handle Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero he'll be fine at Braintree' says Cowley
CONFIDENT: Danny Cowley has high hopes for Jeremy Walker
DANNY COWLEY believes that if new signing Jeremy Walker can handle Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero he can deal with life at Braintree Town.
The 21-year-old Australian right-back has become the third player to follow Iron boss Cowley from Concord Rangers.
Cowley has already delved into his former club for Matt Fry and Taylor Miles.
Walker comes to Braintree with experience of the Australian A-League, having played for the likes of Melbourne City, coming up against World Cup winner Del Piero, who was at Sydney FC.
"I was watching a few clips of Jeremy in the A-League the other week and there's some good clips of him marking Del Piero," said Cowley.
"If you can deal with Del Piero then I'm sure he'll be able to deal with any of the challenges that come his way this year.
"He did fantastically well for us last year at Concord, he's an attacking right-back but also defends really well.
"We're confident he'll be able to make the step up into National League football."
He added: "Potentially, we will add one more centre-half. There were positive signs with Charlie Strutton who joined in his first ball work session on Monday.
"Depending on what happens with him and how quickly he'll be available will influence whether we'll look to add anything into that area."
Cowley has praised his players' work ethic after a 2-1 win over Southend United on Friday on a friendly.
Two goals from Simeon Akinola either side of half-time were enough to continue Braintree's fine pre-season form in a weekend that included two other Iron XI games against Stanway Rovers and Heybridge Swifts in the space of four days.
"We were pleased with the performance against Southend. They came with a full squad so it was nice to get back-to-back wins against Football League opposition," said Cowley.
"We saw good progress on the night and it's nice from our point of view because the players have worked exceptionally hard.
"They've been in nine times in the last 12 days, so their commitment has been excellent and it's nice to see their hard work pay off."
He added: "From our point of view, whenever we can play Football League opposition in pre-season it's always a good thing because they give you instant feedback. They're well-organised and they test us, so we enjoy those games because you can understand the progress you're making.
"Whenever non-league part-time players come up against full-time professionals they'll always have a point to prove and they certainly did that."
Marks looks to utilise his talent in a different way for Braintree Town
Marks looks to utilise his talent in a different way for Braintree Town
SEAN Marks is looking forward to showing Braintree Town fans parts of his game this season that they may not have seen for a while.
When Danny Cowley took over as Iron manager at the end of last season, the 29-year-old striker was one of the first to commit himself by signing a fresh deal and the new boss was quick to acknowledge his value to the club.
However, he said he didn’t want Marks to be the Iron’s “battering ram”.
The experienced front man had got used to former manager Alan Devonshire regularly employing him in a role that saw balls played up to him and other members of the forward unit operating off the service he provided.
It was a physical role that meant Marks came into conflict with opposing defenders, but he is looking forward to having his talents used in other ways under the leadership of Danny and his brother and assistant boss Nicky.
He said: “I think Danny and Nicky know that historically I have been the team’s battering ram.
“I don’t mind that and I’ll take on that role, but there’s more to my game.
“What they are good at is they’ll find ways to get you into scoring areas and hone your skills.
“Having patterns of play that help you, rather than the historical role of crashing it up to me, having a fight with a couple of centre-halves and then everyone else playing off me.
“It is quite nice to have a recognition that we can play so let’s do it, not just have a routine of crashing it forward and squeezing up.
“It’s quite refreshing but it’s one of those situations where we need to be pragmatic.
“There will be times when we can’t do that and we need to be flexible enough to know if it’s not working and maybe we will go more direct.
“That’s something I have seen from the management team.
“They do recognise when to do that whereas sometimes last season we did just keep doing it and hoping we’d get it, but sometimes we didn’t get it.
“I think you will see a different Braintree.
“It’s not going to be so direct, there will be more passes and more touches and we will break against teams more.
“If we can do that and still do the basics that if we need to go long, we go long, that will be really effective in this league.
“I think it can be a really positive season.
“Everyone who knows us and the resources we have, knows we should aim to not be relegated.
“We all know that, but with this bunch of players and knowing how good they are, I think a top-half finish is what we should aim for.
“Anything more is a bonus.
“I’m a firm believer that once we get to the 50-point mark, we can start playing and enjoying ourselves more.
“It’s not by fluke that we have done well in this league so far, though, and it’s about time we got recognition for what we are.
“Maybe it’s time we should see ourselves as being mid-table and if we get anything more then it will be just desserts.”
Braintree Town's Davis wants the Iron to hit the ground running
Braintree Town's Davis wants the Iron to hit the ground running
KENNY Davis knows how important it is for Braintree Town to have a good start to their Vanarama National League campaign this year.
With new manager Danny Cowley coming in and a number of changes being made to the Iron’s squad this summer, there will be a fresh feeling when they kick-off the season at Chester on August 8.
But while it is Braintree’s fifth consecutive season in the top flight of English non-league football, Davis has drawn parallels with how it was in their first year and he wants the new-look team to replicate the early success they had then.
He said: “I think it’s still getting to 50 points that has to be our main focus, but we do need to make sure we make a strong start.
“We’re a new team and a good early spell will give us confidence.
“That’s just like when we first came up (into the Conference Premier).
“We lost the first game, but then went on a good run which gave us great confidence.
“It’s a busy start, but that’s no different to other years and it’s been proved before that a busy run suits us.
“We always seem to do well in a period when we have a lot of games.
“Hopefully we’ll take it in our stride, do well and it will breed confidence.” Braintree conclude their pre-season fixtures with a trip to Vanarama National League South side Ebbsfleet United on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Ebbsfleet knocked Braintree out of the FA Trophy last season and the Iron will be looking to head into the start of the season in a positive manner.
Davis has already been on the scoresheet a couple of times during their summer fixtures and after scoring eight from his 41 appearances last season, the 27-year-old said that he is looking to pose a bigger goal threat from midfield this year.
“Personally, I think I can get more goals in open play,” he added.
“I know I got five or six penalties last year, but I want to be a bigger goal threat this year.
“I think I can do that, but we’ve got more goals throughout the team now – as you can see from our pre-season.
“Across all our friendlies, all of our strikers have got goals and that can only be a positive.”
From The Essex Chronicle
Leyton Orient trialist Woodyard close to signing for Braintree Town
AVAILABLE FOR HIRE: Goalkeeper Nathan McDonald has been made available for loan by Braintree
Braintree Town look set to complete the signing of midfielder Alex Woodyard this week.
The 22-year-old former Concord Rangers man had been on trial at Leyton Orient and played against the Iron in a pre-season friendly for the O's.
But he failed to earn a deal at the East London club and Iron boss Danny Cowley, who managed Woodyard at the Beach Boys, has made no secret of wanting to bring him to the Cressing Road Stadium.
Woodyard, who was selected by England C towards the end of last season, played for Braintree in Tuesday night's 2-1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge.
Cowley said: "We're hopeful, it's pretty close. He played for me at Concord and we see him as a player who is on an upward curve and someone who will only get better and better.
"We want players like that, who have a capacity to improve. He's very good at turning possession over and he does well in possession, he's always open to accept the ball.
"We know we can play through him but he's always been good at winning the ball and when you have a player like that, then it gives your other players an extra five per cent."
One player set to leave Cressing Road is goalkeeper Nathan Mcdonald, who has been made available for loan.
The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Enfield Town, but had returned to the club this summer with the aim of securing the number one shirt following the departure of Nick Hamann.
However, with the arrival of Will Norris on loan from Cambridge United, Cowley says he was left with a difficult decision.
"Nathan has come back and been exceptional," said Cowley. "His attitude and application have been fantastic and it's a tough call between him and Will.
"It's the hardest decision I've had to make as Braintree Town manager, but I just felt it was the right decision with the type of players that we've got.
"I felt Will gives us a little bit more presence and physicality when coming off his line.
"Four clubs have made concrete offers for Nathan and it's probably the best move for his career.
"We will look at bringing a younger number two in, but there will be a 24 hour recall on Nathan in case the worst happens."
From the Essex Chronicle By Stuart Ballard
'If Walker can handle Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero he'll be fine at Braintree' says Cowley
CONFIDENT: Danny Cowley has high hopes for Jeremy Walker
DANNY COWLEY believes that if new signing Jeremy Walker can handle Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero he can deal with life at Braintree Town.
The 21-year-old Australian right-back has become the third player to follow Iron boss Cowley from Concord Rangers.
Cowley has already delved into his former club for Matt Fry and Taylor Miles.
Walker comes to Braintree with experience of the Australian A-League, having played for the likes of Melbourne City, coming up against World Cup winner Del Piero, who was at Sydney FC.
"I was watching a few clips of Jeremy in the A-League the other week and there's some good clips of him marking Del Piero," said Cowley.
"If you can deal with Del Piero then I'm sure he'll be able to deal with any of the challenges that come his way this year.
"He did fantastically well for us last year at Concord, he's an attacking right-back but also defends really well.
"We're confident he'll be able to make the step up into National League football."
He added: "Potentially, we will add one more centre-half. There were positive signs with Charlie Strutton who joined in his first ball work session on Monday.
"Depending on what happens with him and how quickly he'll be available will influence whether we'll look to add anything into that area."
Cowley has praised his players' work ethic after a 2-1 win over Southend United on Friday on a friendly.
Two goals from Simeon Akinola either side of half-time were enough to continue Braintree's fine pre-season form in a weekend that included two other Iron XI games against Stanway Rovers and Heybridge Swifts in the space of four days.
"We were pleased with the performance against Southend. They came with a full squad so it was nice to get back-to-back wins against Football League opposition," said Cowley.
"We saw good progress on the night and it's nice from our point of view because the players have worked exceptionally hard.
"They've been in nine times in the last 12 days, so their commitment has been excellent and it's nice to see their hard work pay off."
He added: "From our point of view, whenever we can play Football League opposition in pre-season it's always a good thing because they give you instant feedback. They're well-organised and they test us, so we enjoy those games because you can understand the progress you're making.
"Whenever non-league part-time players come up against full-time professionals they'll always have a point to prove and they certainly did that."