Iron midfielder Neal Bishop has stated that the squad must learn from the opening day loss at Swindon Town on Saturday.
The home side scored twice in the first 12 minutes before United striker Paddy Madden pulled a goal back but Scunthorpe went into the break 3-1 down after conceding again right on half-time.That was how things stayed as Russ Wilcox’s men tasted defeat on the club’s return to League One and Bishop said the players have got to take responsibility for the performance.
He told The Iron Player: “The first 20 minutes were suicidal.
“They had lots of chances but then again we had a few ourselves and we could have gone into half-time at 5-5 – it was that type of game.
“We need to be more switched on but it’s not like we haven’t worked on it.
“We were given enough information and the players have got to take responsibility from that and learn from it.
“It’s not a crisis because it’s only the first game of the season but it’s a lesson we’re going to have to take on board.”
It’s always important to take the positives from games, even in defeat, and Bishop praised the teams attacking play at the weekend.
And the summer recruit stressed that the squad will improve going into future games.
“I think you’ve got to take positives from every game whether you win, lose or draw,” he continued.
“Some of the attacking play was great.
“Deon (Burton) came on and created chances for Paddy at will and we could have had five goals in that first half so you’ve got to look at the positives.
“But we need to be harder to beat and more resolute away from home. We need to stand up and we’ll have to learn fast.
“Everyone seems to think you work hard all pre-season for the first game but you don’t, you work hard all pre-season for 46 games.
“It’s one game, it’s gone now and we’ll improve.”
With five more games to come during the month of August, there’s no time for the United squad to dwell on negative results such as Saturday.
The team now switch to Capital One Cup action away Championship side at Blackburn and Bishop is adamant that the team will be looking to win the game.
He added: “It’s a great opportunity for us to show what we can do.
“They’re in the Championship, they’re a good footballing team and we’ll go there as underdogs but we’ll be looking to compete and hopefully take something from the game.
“I wouldn’t say he cup is a priority this season but we want to win every game and Tuesday is no different.”
See much more from Neal Bishop, and others, on The Iron Player.