IRON 0-0 Tranmere Rovers

[ozbrit]

This is the very first league encounter between the two clubs. I expect we'll give our illustrious guests our usual warm welcome.

[mjt]

well for me Braintree were the better of the 2 teams in a game low on quality and chances.
Set up not to get beat with my MOM Matt Paine in the side.

With a bit more faith as the game went on maybe the manager would have gone 2 up front and taken the game to a poor Tranmere side?

I have to say for me Kenny Davis looked well of the pace and was poor, the 2 substitutes were a bit baffling as both Sparkes and Isaac looked ok to me and i would have had Davis off ahead of both.

Still a point on the board and a few winnable games to come - still looking toothless up front.

[johnstoneman]

Any word on Matt Fry?

[rustynail]

Not a great game but an interesting one which puts the first point on the table.
Only one clear chance by Simeon and a half chance by Dan Sparks in the first half.
Our back four were working well lead by Clerima whom made the occasional venture forward.
Woodyard was busy and impressive mopping up just in the front four. I think he's a good acquisition to the squad and thoroughly deserves his place in the team.
The second half was bordering on being boring the Rovers hardly threatened until after the unfortunate Matt Fry injury we immediately replied with some good creative work leading to Sean Marks having his close shot saved.
MOTM for me was Woodyard.

[irondan]

Not a classic today, but we did look the better team overall. Tranmere were very poor I don't know if they will go up on that evidence. Our defence was brilliant today they all worked really well together with some good chat between them. Matt Fry was very unlucky in his injury, he was a rock today. I hope it's not too bad but it didn't look good for him. We had a couple of half chances I thought Marks was gonna score at the end but had a tight angle in his defence. Agree with Woodyard being well deserving of his starting place really good player, although today my MOTM was Matty Paine he won everything. First point tho and a few on paper easier games to come so looking better. Cmon on the Iron

[dbbn]

Baffled by the one striker set up for the second Saturday running. I was expecting a lot more from Tranmere and it took us a long time to realise that we could free up a midfield berth to another striker. Neither keeper was tested and it was pretty much a bore draw. As time passed by, both sides appeared to have settled for a point. It will be a long struggle for the Iron if Mr Cowley persists with such a negative approach and certainly will not bring the Braintree public flooding in.
Isaac, Woodyard and Akinola tried, but were somewhat shackled by the lack of numbers/inventiveness going forward. Withdrawing Sparkes who is clearly our best free kick/corner taker did not help the cause. All the positive vibes brought about by a pre-season where results don't matter have gone out of the window for the sake of a more cautious team set up not to lose.
On a side note; why did the 4th official have to wait for a signal from the ref to throw a ball into play when he can clearly see the match ball has left the ground?

[braintreeboy]

Dbbn hits the nail on the head, though on this occasion I can see why we played the 5 in midfield but as long as we don't play poor Simeon on his own up front. Any long ball up to him just ain't gonna get there as he's not the target man type. Fantastic to see Paine back in midfield as we looked a lot more solid

[Braintree TV]

Highlights of the Tranmere game are on Braintree TV now.