Braintree boss Alan Devonshire has told the local press he is only looking for more consolidation this season.
After a ninth place finish last term, Devonshire believes that keeping the bulk of that squad will help them to safety this season: “I’d like to think keeping the squad together should help us, but you never know as it’s a tough league.
“We have done better than expected since coming up into this league and that adds more pressure. I’m a realist and my aim is still to get to 50 points.
“If we can make a good start and get there quicker, then there may be other targets, but for now all I’m looking at is 50 points. Last year we had to make changes over the summer and took time to settle, but this year we’ve been able to keep the squad together.
“So on paper it looks OK, but it is on the pitch that it counts and we won’t know until we get to Hereford on Saturday but I’ve got some good players and to keep them was good.
“I thought I would lose some, but keeping them together was a bonus because we are a young side and are learning all the time.
“I was really surprised to be able to keep Kenny (Davis) because I thought he would go elsewhere, but I thought I would probably see James Mulley and Luke Daley go as well.”
“We have done better than expected since coming up into this league and that adds more pressure. I’m a realist and my aim is still to get to 50 points.
“If we can make a good start and get there quicker, then there may be other targets, but for now all I’m looking at is 50 points. Last year we had to make changes over the summer and took time to settle, but this year we’ve been able to keep the squad together.
“So on paper it looks OK, but it is on the pitch that it counts and we won’t know until we get to Hereford on Saturday but I’ve got some good players and to keep them was good.
“I thought I would lose some, but keeping them together was a bonus because we are a young side and are learning all the time.
“I was really surprised to be able to keep Kenny (Davis) because I thought he would go elsewhere, but I thought I would probably see James Mulley and Luke Daley go as well.”
The Bulls are a best-priced 17/16 to beat Braintree (14/5) with the draw 13/5. Chris Sharp, Dan Walker, and Michael Rankine are all 13/2 favourites to open the scoring ahead of Iron striker Dan Holman at 8/1.