Iron manager Graham Alexander was full of acclaim for his squad following the 3-0 win over Millwall at Glanford Park.
Paddy Madden’s double and a close range Hakeeb Adelakun finish secured the result to ensure United will top the League One table when Christmas arrives next week.With three goals and three points in the bag, Alexander was naturally delighted when he addressed the media at full-time.
He told The Iron PlayerHD: “The players have put a smile on the supporters' faces and it’s fantastic to see.
“It’s a big win for us today, there were a few questions about us this week and I think the players have answered them.
“I thought with the way we played, we got back to what we were good at. We got on the ball, we caused Millwall problems and scored three excellent goals.
“I’m delighted for the team because it’s been a tough week for us but that’s the way to respond.
“This group is good enough to win a lot of games and each set of 11 players has a responsibility to everyone else to perform to the highest level and I think they did that today.
“Training was very competitive this week and I just felt the team needed changing from last week to bring that spark and a competitive edge to the whole squad.
“I thought everyone today did their job, as expected.”
Madden’s brace takes his personal tally to seven for the season, despite a disrupted start due to injury, whilst Adelakun notched for the first time in league action this campaign.
Keen to stress that it’s important for the whole side to contribute, Alexander was pleased to see the squad bounce back from defeat last week with victory and a clean sheet.
“It’s a team game, we can’t rely on one or two individuals or a certain part of the team,” he continued.
“We need the whole squad working as hard as possible to produce a performance to the level of that.
“I thought we played like we did six or seven weeks ago when we were doing things right all the way through the team. We had an idea of how we wanted to play and stuck to it.
“You’re not going to do things right on the pitch all the time but it’s about having the courage to go and do it again.
“Every credit to the players for defending well – they stuck to their task and when we had the ball, we played some really good stuff.
“Obviously we’re delighted to get the three points and go on to next week.”
Despite seeing other results go in the club’s favour, Alexander stated the need for his players to concentrate on what they do and not worry about anyone else.
The Lions success also means that Scunthorpe have gone through 2016 without a home league defeat and the manager admitted it’s something all involved should be praised for.
He added: “It’s going to be a bit of a rollercoaster between now and the end of the season but we’ve got to be focused on us.
“We’re in control of our own destiny. We don’t need any favours or luck – we have to focus on us.
“The ability and determination, everything that is needed to win, is in that squad so we have to make sure that we take control of that.
“To have gone the whole year without a home league defeat just shows that a lot of tough work has been done by a lot of people.
“I’ve only been here since March but everyone who has been involved in that 12 months, including the supporters because they’ve played their part, deserves a pat on the back.
“To go through a calendar year unbeaten in the league is a tough task in today’s competitive game so every credit but that’s not what we’re here for.
“We’re here to be successful at the end of the season and we have to focus on what’s important.”
See much more from Graham Alexander, Paddy Madden and Hakeeb Adelakun on The Iron PlayerHD.
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