Mid-season review: Bray Wanderers
Credit:
Season So Far: Bray’s season thus far has gone very much the way that most pundits had anticipated it to go. Currently bottom of the table, a total of six points off their nearest challengers (Drogheda), it has been tough going for the Wicklow men. Not surprising, given that they have had injury problems, and didn’t know until very late in the day that they would even be competing in the top division.
Biggest Strength: Given they have only one win from a 15 games, it is hard to think of too many strengths, but they do have a good team spirit and have a youthful exuberance, which should mean that they won’t go down without a fight.
Biggest Weakness: Their lack of squad depth is a major worry for them, and with experienced players like David Tyrrell and Richie Baker currently missing, it is really beginning to show. Also, they lack fire power up front, and don’t have a front man who will get them 10-15 goals a season.
Manager: Eddie Gormley’s future is a constant topic of conversation on RTE’s Monday Night Soccer, but the Bray board seem to be behind him at the moment. Given the limit resources at his disposal, he is doing as good a job as can be expected, and certainly deserves the opportunity to at least see out this season at the Carlisle Grounds.
Star Player: Brian Kane has stepped forward admirably to replace Chris O’Connor in between the sticks since the latter’s departure to Bohemians. He has produced a number of fine performances, and The Seagulls could be in an even worse position only for him.
Where to Improve:What Bray need, more than anything else, is a influx of players into the squad but, bar a few talented junior players, this would seem unlikely this season. Outside of that, they need to be more commanding at the back, and need to utilise the trickery of Jake Kelly and Shane O’Neill in the final-third a lot more than they have done.
Overall Rating: 4/10
Biggest Strength: Given they have only one win from a 15 games, it is hard to think of too many strengths, but they do have a good team spirit and have a youthful exuberance, which should mean that they won’t go down without a fight.
Biggest Weakness: Their lack of squad depth is a major worry for them, and with experienced players like David Tyrrell and Richie Baker currently missing, it is really beginning to show. Also, they lack fire power up front, and don’t have a front man who will get them 10-15 goals a season.
Manager: Eddie Gormley’s future is a constant topic of conversation on RTE’s Monday Night Soccer, but the Bray board seem to be behind him at the moment. Given the limit resources at his disposal, he is doing as good a job as can be expected, and certainly deserves the opportunity to at least see out this season at the Carlisle Grounds.
Star Player: Brian Kane has stepped forward admirably to replace Chris O’Connor in between the sticks since the latter’s departure to Bohemians. He has produced a number of fine performances, and The Seagulls could be in an even worse position only for him.
Where to Improve:What Bray need, more than anything else, is a influx of players into the squad but, bar a few talented junior players, this would seem unlikely this season. Outside of that, they need to be more commanding at the back, and need to utilise the trickery of Jake Kelly and Shane O’Neill in the final-third a lot more than they have done.
Overall Rating: 4/10
About Daire Walsh
Daire Walsh began reporting for Extratime in 2009, when he covered Kildare County's games in the League Of Ireland First Division. He currently reports on games involving the league's Dublin sides and also Bray Wanderers. … View Full Profile