Iron defender Andy Dawson is glad to be back in contention for selection ahead of this Saturday’s home clash with Dagenham and Redbridge at Glanford Park.
The full-back missed last weekend’s game at Bristol Rovers due to his testimonial match but is looking forward to resuming normal service in the United back four against the Daggers.He told The Iron Player: “The lads have given 110% and shown great attitude in training this week so I’m pleased to be back in contention for a place in team.
“I phoned Russ (Wilcox) after the game on Saturday and he told me how delighted he was with the way the lads played so hopefully we can take that forward.
“We’re preparing for the game on Saturday as normal and the boys seem really sharp so we’re all looking forward to it.
“I think it’s been a great start to the season. We’re unbeaten, we’ve kept three clean sheets and we’ve created lots of chances.
“The lads were unlucky at Bristol but apart from that, it’s been nigh on a perfect start so we’re going into Saturday full of confidence.”
Scunthorpe are still yet to concede a goal in normal play following the first three competitive games already played so far this campaign which, as a defender, is something that delights the 34-year-old.
And Dawson also reported that he has fully recovered from the dead leg that troubled him in the Capital One Cup tie at Barnsley ahead of United’s second match on home soil.
He continued: “Every good team is built on its defence and if you’re keeping clean sheets then you’ve got half a chance.
“We’re always going to score and create chances with the quality of forward players and midfielders that we’ve got so we have the basis of a good team.
“Our two centre halves Mirf (David Mirfin) and Naz (Niall Canavan) have been solid as a rock and obviously Sam (Slocombe) behind them has done well so it’s a good basis to build the team around.
“We’ve got some very good midfielders and a front four that are all capable of scoring goals so it’s certainly something to be positive about going into the game on Saturday.
“I got a dead leg against Barnsley, the same knock that I had against Grimsby six weeks ago, but I’m over it now and everything’s okay.”
When signing for United in the summer, Dawson also agreed to take charge of Scunthorpe’s reserve side over the course of the season.
The second string took part in their first match of the campaign on Tuesday night and their new coach was thrilled with how the game went.
He added: “I really enjoyed it. It’s a new challenge for me that I can learn from and I thought the team did fantastically well.
“It was a young side but it just goes to show that we’ve got some very good young players coming through at the football club which is a big positive for Scunthorpe United.
“I knew it was going to be a big responsibility when I came here but that’s what I wanted.
“My priority is to play games as a first team player but coaching is a responsibility that I want and so far, I’m really enjoying it.”
Saturday’s game against Dagenham will offer Scunthorpe with the opportunity to pick up another three points on home soil following the 2-0 victory over Mansfield on the opening day.
And a good run of results here in North Lincolnshire is something that Dawson has pinpointed as the key to a successful season over the next eight months.
He concluded: “I think they’ll (Dagenham) be big, strong and very physical like the majority of teams in this league.
“But we believe that we’ve got enough quality in the camp to defeat any team in this league and that’s something that will stand us in good stead going into Saturday.
“We’ll be giving them every bit of respect because each team deserves that in this league but if we’re mentally and physically prepared then there’s no reason why we can’t win.
“The majority of your success needs to come at home, especially if you’re going to be up there and get promoted at the end of the season.
“It gives everybody a boost but especially the fans because if they know they’re going to watch a team that will hopefully be better than the opposition then that’s a positive for everybody.”
See much more from Andy Dawson YouTube.com/ScunthorpeUnitedFC, in addition to video interviews with Brian Laws and Deon Burton on The Iron Player.