Iron defender Miles Addison feels the 2-1 win over Walsall was a long time coming and well deserving of his team-mates.
Quickfire goals in the opening ten minutes of the second period helped the Iron edge Dean Smith’s Walsall, whose goal from Tom Bradshaw proved to be meaningless as the Claret and Blue took the whole three points, the first of the Sky Bet League One campaign.“It was a great win,” Addison told The Iron Player afterwards, reflecting on the match.
“It was needed looking at the table, it was starting to get a little bit scary but we’ve got three points now and from the performance on Tuesday it’s something to build on.
“I’m just pleased for everyone connected with Scunthorpe. After Tuesday (the Reading match) we felt we deserved to win and everyone can pat themselves on the back now and hope it has kickstarted our season.”
An impressive performance in the Capital One Cup loss to the Royals in midweek gave the Scunthorpe side extra confidence and Addison praised the home support for sticking by the team:
“Everyone saw we got confidence from the Reading match, where the atmosphere was brilliant and I’ve got to say Glanford Park was the same again today," he continued.
“It’s enjoyable to play in, even when we’re under the cosh a little bit, everyone stuck together and in the end the best team won.”
A brilliant individual goal and great skill by Hakeeb Adelakun sent the Iron into the lead on 51 minutes and Gary McSheffrey soon doubled the lead with his first goal for the club since arriving in January.
The former Coventry man fired a stunning free-kick from around 35-yards past stopper Richard O’Donnell.
“They were brilliant goals,” Addison said. “The team deserved them, we possibly deserved another one but a win is a win and the two who scored can hopefully kick on again now.”
The Bournemouth loan man says the team have been working hard on their defensive shape in training and the game plan has paid dividends. The last 20 minutes were nervy as the visitors were in search of an equaliser, but United stayed strong.
“If you look at the last few games, we have had first-half clean sheets and if you start the second half well, we can get something and percentages say you normally win the game, which is the aim,” Addison added.
“At the minute we are getting first-half clean sheets and it gives us something to build on.
“I was really enjoying the game at 2-0 and once they scored we started to get a bit edgy! Credit to the team, the whole XI, not just the back four and the keeper, we really wanted to get the win and we defended as a team.
“They started to go a bit direct towards the end of the game, which made it difficult for us but we kept our positions well. We’ve been doing a bit more shape work in training and it has definitely paid off for us.”
Addison has also starred in defence for the Iron recently after initially starting the season on the bench and the former Derby man is enjoying his role alongside Niall Canavan in the centre of defence.
“I had to be patient to start with,” he added.
“It was frustrating but I’m in the team now and I can’t afford to take my foot off the gas because I know if it happens I’ll be out of it.
“Hopefully the manager knows I’m giving my all and if it isn’t good enough and he feels he has to take me out, he will make the best decision in the interests of the team. At the minute I feel I’m doing enough to keep my place and long may it continue.”
Tuesday evening sees Glanford Park host Chesterfield in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy before returning to the Sky Bet League One campaign at the weekend, when we visit Bristol City.
Addison gave his thoughts on the the tie, adding: “It’s a break from the league, which I don’t personally want.
“The last two games we’re unbeaten and I want it to continue and it can be a bit of a distraction. It’s something for the manager to look at and possibly change a few things before getting back to the league next Saturday.”
See more from Miles Addison, Russ Wilcox and Gary McSheffrey on the Iron Player.