Braintree Town manager Hakan Hayrettin says his team must deal solely in the hard currency of Vanarama National League points across their busy Christmas fixture schedule this year.

The Iron kick-off their festive list with the visit of Boreham Wood on Saturday, before a Boxing Day trip to Ebbsfleet United on Wednesday, a game at fellow strugglers Maidenhead United on December 29 and then a New Year's Day home encounter with Ebbsfleet on January 1.

And with Braintree currently sitting rock bottom of the National League table after picking up just a point from their last six outings, five points adrift of the side directly above them and nine away from getting clear of the relegation zone, it is clear what is top of their Christmas wish list.

"We just have to pick up points," said Hayrettin.

"There is no other way.

"We have to do our best and I hope the supporters can back the boys because they really are giving us everything.

"There are a lot of games in a short space of time at Christmas and it could look very different if we can have a positive run.

"That's what we are aiming for and what everyone should be backing.

"I'm the most positive person you could meet and I hope everyone around the club can be positive too."

Braintree head into the game on the back of a tough week when they saw two scheduled fixtures at Salisbury in the FA Trophy first round postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The team had got all the way to the ground in Wiltshire on Saturday and had travelled as far as Fleet Services on the M3 motorway on Tuesday before getting the call to turn around and head back to Essex, so, without a ball being kicked, it has proved a frustrating few days.

But Hayrettin hopes his players can take out their frustrations on Boreham Wood when they come to Cressing Road on Saturday.

He added: "We have to be as professional as possible and we knew we had to travel to Salisbury, so we went there in the right frame of mind, but sadly things got in the way.

"We got as far as Fleet on Tuesday and had to turn around, but we go again now.

"There's nothing that we can do about that, but we were looking forward to playing and having a chance to change our fortunes.

"Now we have to readdress things and go again in the league.

"It has been a frustrating week for the players but nobody can fault the effort that these boys have been giving.

"I don't think there'll be any effect from the travelling over the last week - what effect can there be?

"They were frustrated and upset not to play, but I'm sure there'll be no effect.

"These boys are really trying their best and I think our performances have reflected that.

"I know the result went against us, but no-one who was at Havant (for Braintree's last game two weeks ago) can say that we didn't deserve to win.

"We've just got to stay positive - everybody has to.

"We have to be up for it and I know the boys are chomping at the bit to get it right.

"We've been in games all the way and we know we are in the mix so we're not getting outplayed, it's just about us getting it over the line and hopefully that will come on Saturday because these boys are giving their all for this club."