Holleran remains calm despite away-day woes

The 2-1 loss left Leamington with just three points from a possible 12 on their travels and is already threatening to undermine their promotion ambitions.

And, while admitting their away form is a cause for concern, Holleran said sloppy defending and not a problem with the system was to blame for the reverse.

“We need to do better on the road, but there’s no need to panic,” said Holleran.

“We started brightly and had a couple of half-chances. But goals change games. It was our corner and ten seconds later it’s their penalty.

“Then we didn’t deal with a bread-and-butter ball and we’re 2-0 down and chasing the game.”

Brakes’ away-day woes contrast sharply with their form at the New Windmill, where they are yet to drop a point.

Holleran believes last year’s run to the play-offs is behind the anomaly, with opposition managers now treating the visit of Leamington with much more respect.

“We watched Oxford twice and they played the same system to us. Then we kick off on Saturday and they have an extra man in midfield.

“Teams are wary of us and are setting themselves up to frustrate us - you don’t expect that away from home.

“We have struggled when the pitches have been lively and we’ve looked a lot better at home on a better pitch.

“We might have to tinker with a few things [away from home] but the bottom line is, we’ve been sloppy.”

Holleran spent the week looking to freshen up his squad ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Hitchin.

His efforts were rewarded last night with the signing of striker David Kolodynski on a free transfer from Blue Square Bet North side Hinckley United and left-sided player Sam Adkins, who has made the move from Solihull Moors.

Kolodynski, 22, scored twice for Cambridge City in their 3-2 victory at the New Windmill last season and made the switch to the Knitters during the summer.

However, after a poor start to the season for Dean Thomas’ side, he was one of several players made available.

Adkins made two first-team appearances for the Walsall in 2009 before a brief loan spell at Hednesford Town. He joined Solihull Moors in 2010 and is equally comfortable at full-back or in midfield.

A delighted Holleran said: “David is a young, pacy striker who has a very good goalscoring record at this level, whilst Sam is a left-footed young player who brings greater balance to our squad and is comfortable playing in a number of positions.”

Meanwhile, heading out of the New Windmill are Ben Mackey and Kyle Cartwright.

Mackey has joined Stratford Town on loan as he steps up his efforts to get back to full fitness, while Kyle Cartwright has rejoined Bedworth after struggling to find a way past first-choice centre-back pairing Liam Daly and Jamie Hood.

Speaking before Mackey’s loan deal was confirmed, Holleran admitted the striker needed to be starting games to build up his fitness.

“He’s worked hard, but he hasn’t played a lot of football in the last eight months.

“It was a bad injury and then the injury in pre-season killed him.

“The best thing to do might be to get six or seven games under his belt somewhere and see how that develops.”

Leamington are back in league action again on Tuesday night when they entertain Bedford Town (7.45pm), before kicking off their FA Cup campaign at home to Boldmere St Michaels the following Saturday.