Iron goal scorer Lyle Taylor hailed the togetherness of the squad following Saturday’s impressive 3-1 win against a youthful Leicester side.
Taylor came on at half time, but had a hand in two goals, scoring one himself and then turning provider, setting up Sean McAllister.It was not that straight forward for the Iron though as they had to come from a goal down to win, but Taylor felt the squad coped well.
He told The Iron Player: “I thought we did well. It’s tough in games like that because there’s not a great deal of atmosphere.
“It’s not going to be the same sort of tempo that the first game of the season will be played at, but it’s a good workout.”
The young Leicester side proved a good match for the Iron, taking the lead through a Jacob Blyth penalty, but the Iron hit back in clinical fashion.
United netted three times to make the final score fairly comfortable and in the process Taylor netted his first for the club, which he was understandably delighted about.
He said: “It’s always nice to score and to get my first in the club colours, so I hope for many more.”
Russ Wilcox will be hoping that his summer signing can carry on from his impressive display and add some goals throughout the season, but Taylor was quick to praise the efforts of his team mates.
He said: “I’d like to think we all could (go on a scoring run). Paddy’s got a lot of goals in pre-season, Deon’s got a few and I’ve got one.
“There’s goals coming from everywhere, Luke Waterfall got one the other day, Miguel scored today, so we’ve got goals coming from different areas and department on the pitch which is pleasing to see.”
With many of his strikers finding the net in pre-season, Russ Wilcox now faces a selection dilemma for the opener at Swindon Town next week.
The competition is something that is not bothering Iron new boy, Taylor and he believes that the rivalry for places will drive everyone on to succeed.
He said: “It’s very important. You can have one bad game as a centre forward and not score, but knowing that you are being pushed from behind and players on the bench that are ready to take your shirt is good.
“It’s competition, but it’s friendly. We’re all friends and all have a common goal, to push this club to success.”
The Iron have added wisely in the summer, bringing in some experience and have now got a lot of competition for places across the pitch.
Some of United’s new arrivals have experience of Championship football and Taylor thinks that others will benefit from players such as recent signing, Miguel Llera.
He said: “He (Llera) is massive in more than one way! He gives us that little bit of presence and a lot more experience.
“I think you will see a big difference in Naz (Niall Canavan). He will be a better player for playing with Miles, who has played in the Championship and Premier League, and Miguel who’s played a lot of games in the Championship.”
It appears as though the side is shaping up nicely for the coming campaign and Taylor believes the squad have given Russ Wilcox a welcome headache ahead of next week.
He said: “It’s going to be a good week. The manager has a lot of tough decisions to make, but we are a team, a squad and we look forward to next week.”
See much more from Lyle Taylor, and others, on The Iron Player.