Harrop Can See His Braintree Side Have Turned A Corner

The Iron may only sit one place above the National League drop zone but their manager is thrilled by their progress.

On Saturday the Essex club defeated Altrincham, ten days after FC Halifax Town went home empty handed.

He says their loss at Rochdale in between was the club’s best performance of the season so far and after winning promotion against the odds last season, he feels they’ll keep surprising people again.

"It’s really positive, I’m starting to see us turn a corner,” Harrop said following the 2-0 victory over the Robins.

“I can’t fault the players in terms of effort and energy. We aren’t a club about money, we’re about hard work and we're about grafters.

“I want that around me. I work hard and want people around me who will put in the work, not just worry about their finances.

“Everyone at the club should be delighted with how things are going. A lot of people thought we would be rock bottom, but I’m seeing a team who will compete in this league.”

He feels the identity is now there and added in an interview with BBC Essex: “I’ve had five different styles of play and formations, and we finally may have found our formation going forward. It was always going to take time with a new group.”

Next the shoe is on the other foot - the underdogs become favourites in the FA Cup against Bishop’s Stortford.

“The FA Cup is huge for this club, we need a run,” he went on. “It’s a big pressure game for me and the players. We need to win.

“But they beat Hemel Hempstead in the last round, who are top of the National League South. We’ll be paying them every respect.”