Iron assistant manager Ned Kelly was hoping the side could take a lot of the positives from Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Fleetwood and turn that into success at Crewe on Saturday.
United came from behind twice in midweek to secure a point and had a couple of chances to win the match late on.Kelly was pleased with the performance of the side, also praising the excellent support that had travelled to Lancashire, and hoped for more of the same at Crewe.
Kelly told The Iron Player: “We can take lots of positives. I thought we were excellent at times. I think the fact every single one of the supporters stayed at the end to clap the team off spoke volumes.
“We played some really good football and we did well coming from a goal down and coming back into it twice, plus we had a few chances towards the end.
“I thought we showed brilliant character again and Fleetwood are a good side. We set out to win every game and that's what we will do on Saturday.
“It's a tough league and every game is difficult, but we're confident that the wins are just around the corner.”
The trip to Fleetwood saw the squad return unscathed, with only a couple of minor knocks to report, although Kelly was uncertain whether Marcus Williams would be fit.
The defender was missing again on Tuesday with a back injury as Conor Townsend continued in Williams’ place, and Kelly confirmed he would be assessed.
He said: “Jordan Clarke's got a bit of a tight hamstring and Gary McSheffrey’s is a bit stiff, but it's nothing really. It's just a few stiff bodies and nothing too serious to worry about.
“They've done a light session this morning and stiffness is to be expected on a Thursday morning.
“Marcus is still very stiff and it'll be touch and go as to whether he'll be ready really. We've got excellent medical staff here and he's on good hands.”
One man will return to the Iron squad on Saturday is Neal Bishop, who has completed his two match ban for collecting ten yellow cards.
Kelly praised the contribution of the midfielder this season, but was also impressed by the efforts of midfield trio Liam O’Neil, Isaiah Osbourne and George Evans on Tuesday.
He said: “Bish will come back into the group and he's been very good for us over the past few months so the gaffer will be thinking of him and whether we change it or rotate it around for Saturday.
“I thought it was a first class performance from the midfield three, the other night, so it's one to ponder.”
Crewe have been struggling for results and also goals of late, but the Iron assistant felt that this would not change the approach in any way.
Kelly said: “They've had a difficult run of results and they didn't have the best result on Tuesday either. It doesn't change our approach as we will try and be on the front foot and we will work hard and try and force mistakes."
See much more from Ned Kelly and Luke Daniels on The Iron Player.