Firstly the match. After taking the lead through a slightly fortuitous Mekki effort, we were quickly pegged back by a quickly taken throw-in and McNulty left exposed at the back unable to close out their striker,who finished well. A quick free-kick, saw the visitors carve open our defence again and another cool finish from Akinola put the visitors ahead. Norwood had a good chance to level at the end of the half, but shot straight at their keeper. Brabin replaced Ridehalgh with Dawson for the second half [personally I'd have taken Hill off and moved Ridehalgh to left-back instead], but despite a few good runs from the sub and one quality cross, it wasn't a game-changer. For the first part of the second half, the visitors were on top. Even when they tired and defended deeper towards the end of the game, Braintree still looked dangerous on the break, while Rovers failed to convert the chances that came our way. Akinola got applauded by the home Paddock when he was subbed and after (a slightly harsh imo) chant of "you're not fit to wear the shirt",as Rovers exited at full-time, the visiting players were also applauded off by the home crowd. They had been the better-organised and more skilful of the teams and aside from a spot of time-wasting, hadn't resorted to the cynical approach of a couple of other visitors to PP this season. Their victory was totally deserved.
Next the players. This game was a good illustration of how we failed to play as a team, whereas our opponents clearly did. It is pointless having better quality individuals, if they don't fit together as a unit.
Davies; Think a quick throw-out, which didn't come off led to their equaliser. After that he generally kicked the ball, one decent save and amongst the less culpable.
Hill; Poor going forward, aimless punts and never tried to carry the ball. His legs seem to have gone.
McNulty; Lack of pace and poor positioning defensively. Played a couple of good long-balls, but body language suggested he wanted to be somewhere else.
Sutton; One of Brabin's scapegoats, his confidence seems shot. One good challenge to get McNulty out of a hole.
Vaughan; Switched off a bit for the throw-in which led to the equaliser and at times was drawn towards the centre, but did try to play the ball on the deck.
Ridehalgh; As Sutton, without the saving tackle.
Jennings; No on-field leadership. Involved in a stupid argument with the referee about the free-kick, which led to their winner instead of getting into position.
Maynard; Dismal, as illustrated by the aimless header and punt in the air, which ultimately led to their winning free-kick.
Mekki; Sponsors MoM. Scored the goal, worked hard with little end-product otherwise and seemed to cop more than his fair share of flak.
Norwood; Put a shift in, but not clinical enough.
Mangan; Seemed below par yesterday
Dawson; Given he was returning from injury did fairly well.
Finally the manager. I went to the pre-match Trust meeting yesterday, where Mark Palios was the special guest. The remarks were along the lines that MP was disappointed with how we were performing, the target was to make the play-offs and too early to write us off. My impression was that things will have to deteriorate significantly for Brabin to be replaced.
Personally, I would like him gone now. With Rob Edwards and John Barnes' sides, you could see what the manager was trying to get the side to do, even if with the former it was using a woefully weak squad and the latter it was a bloody stupid idea anyway. However with Brabin, there was nothing apparent; just throw together a bunch with conference promotion history and hope it will stick together and deliver the goods. Little coaching/tactical guidance on match-day, even more obvious, when Braintree's PE teacher manager was constantly giving his side advice or instruction. When the plan B of slinging Dawson on didn't work, why not try something else? Kirby, who ought to have started yesterday, could have replaced either Maynard as attacking midfielder or Mangan up front or Tomlinson for Mangan were the most obvious options.
RLC maths on where we'll end up on current form is alarming. I'll be missing Wrexham for other reasons, but even if there was the option to go, I wouldn't bother.
