Post by admin on May 1, 2016 12:32:47 GMT
Braintree Town boss Danny Cowley needs to get the day off school for Grimsby Town clash
Braintree Chronicle By Alasdair Gold
SCHOOL'S NOT OUT FOR SUMMER YET: Iron boss Danny Cowley
The only drawback to Braintree Town finishing third in the Vanarama National League was that boss Danny Cowley suddenly realised he needed to take a day off school.
The Iron manager is a PE teacher by day at Rayleigh's FitzWimarc School and he will need to be making a call to his head teacher Robert Harris after the results on Saturday.
Braintree's 3-0 victory against Altrincham, coupled with scores elsewhere, meant that the Iron shot up the table to third place, handing them an away trip to Grimsby on Thursday, followed by the return leg at the Avanti Stadium on Sunday.
Had Braintree finished fifth, the position they started the day in, they would have played at home on Wednesday and away at the weekend.
"It'll be the first time we've been involved in a two-legged affair. That will be a challenge. We were successful in a lot of play-offs with Concord Rangers. We have a clear plan for play-offs, because they're unique games and occasions. We'll have a game plan."
He added: "This is my ninth year in football management. When you expose yourself to these football experiences it helps. We've lived this week before on numerous occasions, when there's been a pivotal week and a life-changing game, which it is.
"We know how to deal with it. We're pretty good. Nobody can put more pressure on us than ourselves. We're looking forward to it. We're not going to fear something we've created.
"We're going to try to get some time off on Thursday, because I haven't quite thought of that. Nicky [Cowley, his assistant and brother] and I thought we were going to be home midweek and away at the weekend, so that's definitely going to be a problem. So if Mr Harris is listening, could I have the afternoon off please?"
Cowley, who admitted being inspired by Leicester City's exploits this season, was delighted with the way his side performed in front of the BT Sport cameras on Saturday in the match, which saw Altrincham relegated at the final whistle.
"The detail is important. We knew that this week if we worked really, really hard as a group from Monday to Friday then we knew we could wake up Saturday knowing we couldn't do any more," he explained.
"I think that's what happened. It takes the pressure off you. It was a bit que sera sera today.
"We wanted to put in a good performance and some people were probably asking questions about why Braintree Town are where they are. We wanted to show whoever cares and was watching that we're a good team. We've got really good players."
Grimsby will be a tough opponent in the play-offs and Cowley admitted he is still shocked by his side's final position which set up the big clash.
"They're all good teams and to get through the play-offs you have to get through your game first and then beat the winners of the other one," he said. "For us, it is what it is. We finished third in the division. Not many things shock me in football but I can't believe we've done as well as we've done.
"That's not underestimating what we have, because we know what we are. When we came here we knew that we could add value and be successful, but the players' level of commitment and determination and game in, game out workrate and effort has been phenomenal. I can't tell you how proud I am of the group."
Many Iron players have returned to fitness in recent weeks and the manager believes that his squad will be going into the two Grimsby matches in the strongest position they've been in in some time.
"I think we're in a good place. We're probably as strong as we have been in terms of the size of the squad," he admitted.
"We've managed to get some key players back fit and that's been very important. At times we've been down to bare bones.
"That hasn't mattered because whoever has played has come in and played with a real determination. We're pleased to get everyone back though. We'll dust ourselves down, but it's important to enjoy this evening. We're regular people and, barring one or two, we're non-league boys and we've just finished third in the top division of non-league football.
"It's important that we enjoy it because it might be the pinnacle for us. We'll have a steely determination. Don't worry about that. None of us like losing. We don't know how to lose. We'll be determined to give it our all and give a really good account of ourselves."
With the likes of Simeon Akinola and Mitch Brundle ripping Altrincham apart on Saturday, and Michael Cheek in great form up front, Grimsby will certainly be wary of the attacking threat Braintree hold.
"We've got good players. We might not have a romantic name and only average facilities at this level, but we've got some good footballers," said Cowley.
"The strength is in our unity. That's the truth and everyone buys into the team and the organisation. There's players out here that can play at a higher level.
"They might not be household names or have the profile of others at clubs in this division, but they're good lads."
Braintree Chronicle By Alasdair Gold
SCHOOL'S NOT OUT FOR SUMMER YET: Iron boss Danny Cowley
The only drawback to Braintree Town finishing third in the Vanarama National League was that boss Danny Cowley suddenly realised he needed to take a day off school.
The Iron manager is a PE teacher by day at Rayleigh's FitzWimarc School and he will need to be making a call to his head teacher Robert Harris after the results on Saturday.
Braintree's 3-0 victory against Altrincham, coupled with scores elsewhere, meant that the Iron shot up the table to third place, handing them an away trip to Grimsby on Thursday, followed by the return leg at the Avanti Stadium on Sunday.
Had Braintree finished fifth, the position they started the day in, they would have played at home on Wednesday and away at the weekend.
"It'll be the first time we've been involved in a two-legged affair. That will be a challenge. We were successful in a lot of play-offs with Concord Rangers. We have a clear plan for play-offs, because they're unique games and occasions. We'll have a game plan."
He added: "This is my ninth year in football management. When you expose yourself to these football experiences it helps. We've lived this week before on numerous occasions, when there's been a pivotal week and a life-changing game, which it is.
"We know how to deal with it. We're pretty good. Nobody can put more pressure on us than ourselves. We're looking forward to it. We're not going to fear something we've created.
"We're going to try to get some time off on Thursday, because I haven't quite thought of that. Nicky [Cowley, his assistant and brother] and I thought we were going to be home midweek and away at the weekend, so that's definitely going to be a problem. So if Mr Harris is listening, could I have the afternoon off please?"
Cowley, who admitted being inspired by Leicester City's exploits this season, was delighted with the way his side performed in front of the BT Sport cameras on Saturday in the match, which saw Altrincham relegated at the final whistle.
"The detail is important. We knew that this week if we worked really, really hard as a group from Monday to Friday then we knew we could wake up Saturday knowing we couldn't do any more," he explained.
"I think that's what happened. It takes the pressure off you. It was a bit que sera sera today.
"We wanted to put in a good performance and some people were probably asking questions about why Braintree Town are where they are. We wanted to show whoever cares and was watching that we're a good team. We've got really good players."
Grimsby will be a tough opponent in the play-offs and Cowley admitted he is still shocked by his side's final position which set up the big clash.
"They're all good teams and to get through the play-offs you have to get through your game first and then beat the winners of the other one," he said. "For us, it is what it is. We finished third in the division. Not many things shock me in football but I can't believe we've done as well as we've done.
"That's not underestimating what we have, because we know what we are. When we came here we knew that we could add value and be successful, but the players' level of commitment and determination and game in, game out workrate and effort has been phenomenal. I can't tell you how proud I am of the group."
Many Iron players have returned to fitness in recent weeks and the manager believes that his squad will be going into the two Grimsby matches in the strongest position they've been in in some time.
"I think we're in a good place. We're probably as strong as we have been in terms of the size of the squad," he admitted.
"We've managed to get some key players back fit and that's been very important. At times we've been down to bare bones.
"That hasn't mattered because whoever has played has come in and played with a real determination. We're pleased to get everyone back though. We'll dust ourselves down, but it's important to enjoy this evening. We're regular people and, barring one or two, we're non-league boys and we've just finished third in the top division of non-league football.
"It's important that we enjoy it because it might be the pinnacle for us. We'll have a steely determination. Don't worry about that. None of us like losing. We don't know how to lose. We'll be determined to give it our all and give a really good account of ourselves."
With the likes of Simeon Akinola and Mitch Brundle ripping Altrincham apart on Saturday, and Michael Cheek in great form up front, Grimsby will certainly be wary of the attacking threat Braintree hold.
"We've got good players. We might not have a romantic name and only average facilities at this level, but we've got some good footballers," said Cowley.
"The strength is in our unity. That's the truth and everyone buys into the team and the organisation. There's players out here that can play at a higher level.
"They might not be household names or have the profile of others at clubs in this division, but they're good lads."