Neal Bishop believes it has been an easy transition to come into the Iron side, after signing a two-year-deal with Scunthorpe this summer.
The former Blackpool midfielder expressed how it has been easy to settle in at United and said it has been important to keep the squad unity from last season together ahead of the League One campaign.“It’s been easy for me and the two new lads who have come in,” Bishop told The Iron Player.
“From the lads who had success last season, the majority are still here who achieved promotion last season. It’s easy to come in. There hasn’t been many changes.
“When we won the league with Notts County, the team was disbanded over the summer and there was a manager change, we struggled the following season. People who were in the team that were in the promotion side, didn’t get the chance in League One and show what they could do."
He continued: “To be fair, the manager has kept faith in the lads from last season, and that’s the right thing to do, as there are plenty of players who have played at this level before and the young lads will benefit from this.”
Bishop stated that the pre-season had been a tough one, but the Iron players will benefit from it later on.
He stated: “It’s been hard, as you would expect it to be. It’s been hard but fair. The work we have all done has been done for a purpose.
"The balls have been out regularly. Obviously now the games are starting which is something everyone looks forward to.
“No-one enjoys the first couple of weeks back because of all the groundwork. It’s your basis for the season. You need to do that, you need to do the leg work to stand you in good stead for the rest of the season.
“But as players, it’s more fun when the games start. Obviously the first few are a bit difficult. You play the so called lesser teams and the pitches aren’t great. You have to get through them."
“There’s two games a week now till the start of the season, which we’re trying to get down a few things ahead of the season,” he added.
The former Notts County captain has a wealth of experience at League One level, spending three seasons in the third tier before moving up a division with Blackpool. Bishop knows next season will be a competitive one, but believes the players will be well prepared.
Bishop said: “I think experience is important. There is no doubt that League One is a step up. There will be no gimmes in this league.
“If you’re not on your metal, if you are not well prepared, you are not drilled, then any team in this league is capable of turning each other over. So it will be a very competitive league.
“At times it’s not going to be pretty, but you’ve got to be at it from minute one to 90 or whenever the game finishes.”
See much more from Neal Bishop, Russ Wilcox and Sean McAllister on The Iron Player.