After signing a contract with United on Monday, Sam Winnall “can’t wait to get started” with the season, and is relishing the prospect of working with Iron manager Brian Laws.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, 22, who has been on trial with Scunthorpe since the Frickley Athletic game, has signed a one year contract with an option for another year at the end of the upcoming season.He told The Iron Player: “It’s pleasing that it’s finally all sorted, and we can get the season running, go and start playing and score some goals for the team."
As soon as Iron manager Brian Laws showed interest, Winnall jumped at the opportunity to talk.
“The gaffer here called my agent and said he wanted to see me, and as soon as I found out I was interested and wanted to come down to see what was on offer," he added.
“I came down and enjoyed it, enjoyed my time here while I was on trial, managed to do well in the games and thankfully he offered me a contract.”
The striker is looking forward to the chance to get plenty of games under his belt in the coming season.
“There are a lot of games coming up, so I just can’t wait to get started, start playing and hopefully score some goals," he added.
Winnall believes his eye for goal is his main attribute, and Iron fans will be hopeful that he can bang in the goals for the team this season.
“Goalscoring is probably my biggest strength, when I’m in and around the box I like to get my shots off and try and score as many goals as possible," he continued.
He admitted the good feeling of signing permanently for the club, after spending the majority of his career out on loan.
“It’s better I must admit. When you’re going out on loan you’re not fully a part of the team, because you know you’ve got to go back to your parent club," he stated.
“It’s nice now to be integrated into a squad and be a full part of a first team, so I’m really looking forward to this year.”
He believes although pre-season is always a slow process, the squad is getting up to speed ahead of Saturday’s League Two opener against Mansfield Town, and that since joining the club his own pre-season has been able to take shape.
“On a personal level, it (pre-season) was a little bit stop-start. Until I came here, I was training at different places and trying to keep my fitness up," he stated.
“When I came here it seemed as if the boys were in good nick, everyone was fit. It’s been a slow process but everyone is getting up to fitness now for Saturday.”
The West Midlander has set his sights high for the season, and believes the club has got to push for promotion.
He said: “We’ve got to aim for promotion. With the team we’ve got, and the chemistry and everything like that, our aim has to be up there, and I must admit I do believe we can do it.”
Brian Laws’ reputation and experience is often a big drawing point for potential players, and the same can be said for Winnall.
He finished: “Yeah I am actually (excited about working under Laws), he’s a very experienced manager and it will be good to learn from him and Russ (Wilcox), and hopefully they can improve me as a player along the way as well.”
Catch the full Sam Winnall interview on The Iron Player.