United’s new assistant manager John Schofield has expressed his excitement at what he has seen since joining Scunthorpe’s coaching staff.
Schofield has a vast amount of experience as a player and as an assistant boss and replaces Tony Daws as Russ Wilcox’s number two.The Iron squad have been back in training since last Thursday and Schofield commented that everyone is now ready to build on where they’re at so far.
He told The Iron Player: “It’s going very well and I’m really excited with what I’ve seen.
“The lads have come back in great shape and the football that we’ve seen in this first week has been fantastic so it’s a good starting point and we’re just ready to build on where we are so far.
“I’ve been involved with League One for three out of the last four years and I know that we need to go and attack the league next year and go into each game trying to get as many points out of it as we can.
“Being realistic, we’re not going to win every game but we’ve got to have that mentality, be positive and really stamp our game on the opposition.
“There are some so called bigger teams in the division, we know all that, but no matter who we play it’s about what we do as a football club and I think if we concentrate on what we do then we’ll get our rewards in the end.”
Pre-season is always a time for players to rebuild fitness levels following the summer break in preparation for the new campaign but it’s also important not to pick up any early injuries.
The squad head to Champneys Health Spa later this week and Schofield stated that it’s a chance to spend some quality time with the players.
“The main thing for us as staff is to make sure that nobody picks up any injuries and at the minute, things are looking good,” he continued.
“There are three additions to the playing squad so it’s a pretty settled side.
“Obviously there’s myself coming in on the staff as well and it’s always nice to get away.
“It’s a chance to do a little bit more with the lads and you’re in an environment where you can do a few different things so it’s going to be good.
“You’re always looking to spend that quality time with the players.”
Schofield briefly worked at Scunthorpe as a coach six years ago after leaving Lincoln City and went on to hold similar positions at the likes of Cheltenham Town, Notts County and Gillingham.
The 49-year-old is now fully committed to his current role in North Lincolnshire and says that he will be on hand to support both the manager and playing staff in League One this coming season.
He added: “A bit has changed since I was last here but the training area is still the same.
“It was a well ran club back then and it still is a well ran club. It’s got good ambition which is good to see.
“I spoke to the chairman the other day and it’s great to see somebody with that passion and drive behind a football club to take it forward so it’s exciting times.
“My job as assistant manager is to support the manager, help him do his job as well as he can and hopefully I’ll progress the players as well and be a general helping hand around the place.”
See much more from John Schofield, and others, on The Iron Player.