There is a quote that is often attributed to Albert Einstein about the repetition of mistakes and whether the old genius actually said it or not, it is ringing unfortunately true for Braintree Town at this moment in time.

It goes: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result."

The Iron's results list is beginning to look like the same repeated story - just in different venues with different names lining up against them - with the same things happening at both ends of the pitch.

Their trip to AFC Fylde can be rewritten as games against Leyton Orient, Maidenhead, Maidstone, Wrexham, Dagenham - take your pick as the list goes depressingly on!

The same things keep happening in attack and defence and while it may not be insanity, it would be naive to expect alternative outcomes to the ones we're seeing.

Braintree simply need to step up the game at both ends of the pitch to enhance their prospects of staying in the National League this year.

I really believe they are good enough, despite what results and the league table are indicating at the moment, and there isn't a gulf in quality or class that is standing between them and turning things around.

But they really need to show it soon.

A gap is inexorably opening up to the clutch of sides just the right side of the line separating the drop and safety zones but it's not terminal - at the moment.

Keeping the faith is a test of character but keep it we must.

Brad Quinton says he is looking at bringing new faces into his squad, but it is the responsibility of the ones in it at the moment to make sure they cross the line between success and failure.

Once again - and I'm the one sounding like a cracked record now - it is a fine line as I honestly believe the Iron really aren't that far away.

But if things aren't quite right at both ends of the pitch, where should blame be laid - with the forwards or the defence?

I'd have to say at the moment, that the attacking end is probably more culpable in my opinion.

Brad reiterated in his post-match interview after the defeat at Fylde that he'd be more concerned if chances weren't being created, but the crucial difference between Iron and their opponents is that the other teams are taking theirs.

Don't think that I'm having a dig at the strikers, though - it is the team's collective responsibility to score goals.

Whether that's from midfield, full-backs getting into forward areas or defenders making their presence felt in decisive ways at set pieces, everyone must up their game and get the ball in the back of the net one way or another.

I don't want to beat up players who are clearly not giving up on the cause because players put under undue pressure will only go into their shell and become even more shot-shy.

They need to be bold as goals at one end turn the opposition as Braintree have seen to their cost in the last couple of games.

They've been more than holding their own in the last two games - Fylde and Leyton Orient - but their opponents scoring goals have taken things away from them.

Let the opposition do the chasing rather than Braintree for a change.

I sincerely hope the Iron can start writing a different script of their own when they host Eastleigh on Saturday, otherwise I'll be writing the same comment piece next week and that really would be the definition of insanity!