Neilson impressed by Braintree’s impact

Despite being tipped to struggle by many this season, the hosts are currently 12th in the Blue Square Bet Premier after winning promotion from Blue Square Bet South.

Neilson was impressed with how well the Essex club have adapted to life at higher level, especially on home soil, as he said: “We went to watch them last week at Alfreton. I don’t think their pitch is the flattest pitch in the league, so it’s very difficult there, but hopefully our tactics will be enough to nullify there’s and see us win the game.

“Their home record, out of 21 games, they’ve won 10, drawn five and lost six, so it will be a very difficult game.

“Teams go there and don’t really know what to expect. They are a part time team, but we all know when a part time team play a Luton, Fleetwood or Wrexham in this league, they raise their game.

“They’ve done extremely well, they’ve been absolutely superb. Where they are on 57 points, I think if you said at the start of the season will you take that? They’d have ripped your hand off, so Alan Devonshire has done a superb job there.”

Hatters announced Paul Buckle as their new manager this afternoon, but Neilson, who will be in charge tomorrow, think the disruption caused by Gary Brabin’s sacking won’t have affected the players.

He said: “They’re all professional. These things happen in football, it’s not a nice part of football but the lads are like anyone else.

“They’re looking at Sky Sports News just to see what people’s names are mentioned.

“Then they games take over though and everybody is looking forward to Saturday’s game.”

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