United manager Russ Wilcox was thrilled to see his team emerge as 2-1 victors against Walsall on Saturday – constituting their first win of the season.
The result meant that after a disappointing start to the season, which saw Scunthorpe lose their first three league games, they have now taken four points from the last six available – and seem to have found their feet in League One.After a goalless first-half, United took a deserved lead through Hakeeb Adelakun shortly after the break, and doubled their advantage through Gary McSheffrey a short while later. Tom Bradshaw later pulled a goal back for Walsall, but United held firm for the win.
“It’s been a good week if you break it down,” the Iron boss told The Iron Player.
“First of all we got the point away at Yeovil, and then three points today, which is good for the club.
“I thought we were outstanding at times, I thought we looked very comfortable.
“At 2-0, we looked likely to get the next one and go on to get four or five.”
However, the plot was not to quite unfold in that way, and after Bradshaw halved United’s lead, it signalled a nervy ending to the match from United’s point of view.
The goal itself came about after a mix-up between defender Niall Canavan and goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik, which left the Saddlers’ forward free to tap home.
“But that third goal was a key goal, and it’s obviously very disappointing from our point of view,” Russ continued.
“But Niall’s held his hand up, and that shows how strong mentally he is.
“It’s not cost us, and that’s key.
“Obviously after that the crowd got a bit edgy, but we saw the game out.
“I’m not sure it was comfortable – there were some edgy moments.
“I’d have liked to see us higher up the pitch.
“But sometimes that’s dictated by the opposition - sometimes they get a foothold back in the game.”
Speaking about the United goals, meanwhile, Russ was full of praise for both Adelakun’s and McSheffrey’s strikes.
Both were different, with Adelakun bursting through midfield before slotting home; and McSheffrey scoring direct from a free-kick, his first goal in claret and blue.
“I don’t think I’ve seen two better goals in a game,” the boss admitted.
“Both different goals, but both wonderful strikes.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox, and others, on The Iron Player.