Midfielder John Lundstram admitted he was very surprised the team came out of their last two matches empty handed, after seeing the quality of the team in training sessions leading up to the games.
Having signed on loan from Everton just over a week ago, Lundstram spoke to The Iron Player after making his debut in the 4-0 defeat to Sheffield United, and he shared a little about how he’s settled in to his new surroundings.Lundstram told us: “Everything has been good so far. The lads have made me feel really welcome, and having known a couple of them here before I signed have made things a little easier too.
“In the two days leading up to the Rochdale game, from what I saw of the lads I thought ‘oh wow, it’s going to be a 3-0 win for us on Saturday’ as they have been so sharp, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.”
The England youth player was handed his debut and first start for the club by manager Mark Robins at Bramall Lane on Tuesday night, and while he shared that he was delighted to pull on the United shirt for the first time, he admitted his disappointment at the result, but declared that the lads are already 100% focused on the next task in hand.
Lundstram said: “It was nice to make my debut and get my first start but as everyone knows the game didn’t pan out the way we had hoped it would. They were the better team on the night and it showed.
“Sheffield United’s movement was very special, something we just couldn’t cope with. Their movement was as good as I’ve seen all season to be fair and having played a few games in the Championship their performance was definitely up there.
“With games like that one, when you get beat the next game can’t come quick enough. We’ve got our chance on Saturday where we have to put things right.”
Having yet to make his Glanford Park bow, Lundstram has had little interaction with the Iron faithful thus far, but he did commend their loyalty and support on Tuesday night, as over 700 fans made the trip across to South Yorkshire for the derby game.
Lundstram added: “The Scunthorpe fans brought a great crowd to Sheffield, and to be honest we are all really gutted we couldn’t get the win for them as they travelled in their numbers. Hopefully if they travel down to Notts County we can put it right for them.”
On to Saturday, and as Scunthorpe make the trip to Notts County in an 18th v 20th place clash in League One, Lundstram had a few words to say about the visit to Meadow Lane.
“They are in the same position as us so they’re going to be working hard,” he said.
“They are a group of experienced players so with our young team I think we can overrun them and get the result. It’s panic time towards the end of the season because teams down the bottom need points and always looking and working out which games they need to win and stuff like that.
“If you’re down there it’s important you beat the teams who are down there with you.”
It is often misconstrued that players who join clubs on loan towards the end of the season don’t emotionally invest themselves in to the side knowing there’ll be gone shortly after, but Lundstram wants to dispel that stereotype, promising that he will fight tooth and nail to help United rise up the table.
He rounded off saying: “People sometimes think that when you go on loan, there’s the ‘where are you going to be next season’ type of mentality, but to me it doesn’t matter.
“You’re playing for the team now and you want that team to win, and no matter if you win, lose, or draw, your emotions are with that team, so I’m definitely prepared to scrap.”