Mid Season Report Card - Bray Wanderers

Club: Bray Wanderers.

Manager: Harry Kenny (caretaker manager).

Stadium: Carlisle Grounds.

Highest attendance this season: 813 v Cork City (May 7th).

Highest league goalscorer: Ryan Brennan, Dean Kelly, and Andrew Lewis (all two goals).

Mid-season position: 11th by virtue of goal difference.

 

As a collective, we here at Extratime.ie predicted a seventh spot finish for the Seagulls and it hit my prediction on the nose for the club. While Bray did only retain five senior players from last year, they added experienced personnel to their squad with former Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick's Athletic captain Conor Kenna being joined by Rovers teammate Ryan Brennan and wide men Karl Moore and Dylan Connolly amongst seventeen signings at the club. While it would take time for Mick Cooke’s side to gel, they had a side more than capable of achieving a near midtable finish.

 

Four points from the first eight league games of the season, not scoring in five of those games –  although they did put four of their six goals past Sligo Rovers in a 4-0 home win – saw Mick Cooke relieved of his duties. His formation of 4-1-4-1 and tactics of long ball didn’t click with the lone striker up front in either Dean Kelly or Andrew Lewis while an ever-changing defence, only once did the same back four retain their positions for the next match, saw seven different defenders used in a rotating manner. A change to 4-4-2 did see them pick up their points but three losses without scoring saw Harry Kenny placed in charge in a caretaker capacity.

 

Well, as with nearly all of Bray’s managerial changes over the past season and a half, Kenny’s first game yielded a 1-0 win over Pat's. While the style of play has improved, only one more point has been collected after six more league games, as well as just one additional goal scored. That point came in a 0-0 draw with Longford Town last weekend before the break. The previous five losses did come against five of the top six sides in the league so now will be the time for Bray Wanderers to show whether they can compete in the Premier Division.

 

Their two wins of the season would be competing for this and while it was astonishing for Bray to beat the Saints, the 4-0 win over Sligo must take the accolade as it represents half of the goals they’ve scored so far and one of three cleansheets from 15 matches. It also was a game that saw Sligo have all the best chances in the first half before Bray came out and smashed four past their visitors in the second. Can the Seagulls repeat this in their season and have a strong second half finish?

 

While it might be odd labelling a goalkeeper of a side in 11th place as their star player, Peter Cherrie has been the difference in Bray getting their few points so far this campaign. An inspired performance against Pat's saw several saves from the former Dundalk custodian and was the platform for the home win, while saves in other games have also kept his side in it when they should have been further behind. Not afraid to leave his line for a clearance, you get the feeling he absolutely hates conceding any goal.

 

While only netting once in the league this season, Ger has been a revelation for Bray in his attacking role since returning to the club after two and a half years away. Having been included in the starting XI more under Harry Kenny, the attacker has shown great hold-up play in taking down Andrew Lewis’ knockdowns and distributing them out to the flanks at the right moment. He also has a quality touch that shows in quick play whilst having a bit about him to want the ball and hold off players in order to get it. Long shots aren’t really working at the moment but if Bray worked the ball into the box more, expect him to add more goals to his tally this season.

 

Just 21, Andrew Lewis has had a tough start to his career in the League of Ireland as he’s only scored two in 13 league appearances. Yet, like his strike partner Pender, there’s something about the English frontman that makes you think it’ll just click. He’s shown his adaptability in winning the ball in the air, so much so that he looks a transformed man from the start of the season and is now well able for the role. As well as Pender, it does seem like he plays better with the ball at his feet and with a willingness to chase down passes up front combined with an acrobatic flair that flashes now and again during a match, he too could be looking at quite a few goals come the end of the campaign.

 

With searing pace on the wing, Dylan Connolly has been terrifying defences for Bray since joining the club from Ipswich Town. The former Shelbourne player has been a bright spark in attack for the Seagulls and is unlucky not to have already opened his goal account in the league. While seemingly predominantly right footed, he does cut in and curl a shot often, he is well able to flash a cross in with his left and his contribution to goals and assists will be vital if the Wanderers are to finish the season safe. 

 

To be honest, I feel there is enough quality in the players at the club that they don’t need to enter the transfer market and just need to hold onto their squad. What they do need, though, is stability. Firstly, a permanent manager needs to be put in place. Whether that is giving Harry Kenny a deal until the end of the season or bringing in someone new, it must be done quickly to allow for everyone to focus on the results. 

 

A first choice left back also needs to be decided on with Curtis Murphy, Jason Marks and Sean Harding all being used so far this campaign. A run of games for one could see a lot better link up play in attack while also providing continuity at the back. 

 

A final argument could be made for a goalscorer to be added to the ranks as they have the lowest goals tally in the league but Dean Kelly has returned from injury while they have scored 13 in six cup matches this season. They just need to transfer that form in front of goal in the cup into the league. 

 

If a sense of normality and continuity can enter the club before the kick-off of the second half of the season, there is a chance Bray can push up the table towards seventh or eighth. However, ninth is probably more likely how things will pan out as the club will lift themselves above relegation when their attack finally clicks.