Holleran admits his job hangs in the balance

Since topping the Southern League Premier at Christmas, Brakes have displayed relegation form and now lie ninth, five points off the final play-off spot.

Bashley were the latest league club to take advantage of Brakes’ profligacy in front of goal, coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 on Saturday, while the carrot of a first Birmingham Senior Cup final appearance in 33 years disappeared with a 1-0 defeat to the Baggies.

The poor run has led to unrest among certain sections of the support but Holleran says the most intense pressure comes from closer to home.

“It’s the expectation I put on myself,” he said. “I want us to be in the same position as last season and we’re not.

“It was a bit stop-start before Christmas but we got ourselves into a good position.

“With the run we’ve had we’ve dropped away, but you can turn it around and say we’re still not a million miles away.

“But the time has come and we’re well aware the next few games are going to be critical for me and for the team.”

After being unable to hang on to Jacob Blyth’s opener at Bashley, Brakes fell to a sucker punch against West Brom, failing to convert a host of chances before conceding from one of their visitors’ rare sights of goal.

It left Holleran once again bemoaning his side’s luck, but he admitted patience is starting to wear thin.

“You can’t question the levels or the tempo - everyone is having a go.

“On Saturday we played well and missed chances and on Tuesday night we played well.

“We’re getting into a period where we have to start winning games or it will be me that pays the price.

“There’s only so far it will wash that you were unlucky.

“But I firmly believe we are not far away from stringing a run of results together.”

Having been sacked as manager of Halesowen Town in 2006, Holleran is no stranger to the axe falling, but he says it is important he keeps believing in what he is doing and, more importantly, in the players at his disposal.

“I’ve been at the club 27 months and the last two months have been the most difficult.

“Last season we probably over-achieved and this season we are under-achieving.

“But it’s a challenge I’m prepared to deal with head on and, if we keep believing, it will turn.”

Asa Charlton misses tomorrow’s home clash with Evesham through suspension but David Kolodynski is expected to be fit despite receiving stitches in a shin wound which forced him off on Tuesday night.

Liam Daly is back in contention after having the cast removed from his broken finger, while Lee Chilton returns to the squad after being cup-tied in midweek.