Following the club’s first pre-season training session ahead of the new campaign, winger Gary McSheffrey has stated that the squad are looking forward to getting going again.
Two months have now passed since United were automatically promoted to League One and it’s just over four weeks until the Iron kick-off in their first third tier game after bouncing back from relegation at the first attempt.And McSheffrey has said that the players are all refreshed and can’t wait to get back playing again.
“Thursday was just a nice bedding in day, it wasn’t a long session and I’m sure things will get tougher,” he told The Iron Player.
“A lot of teams get the balls out straight away now and we’ve only done a little bit of work with the footballs so far but I’m sure we’ll be introducing a lot of it in the next few days.
“We’ve had a good break, everyone is refreshed and can’t wait to get started playing games again now.
“We’ll get a good couple of weeks training in us and then the games will come thick and fast and before you know it, it will be the start of the season so we’re all looking forward to it.”
Another few days of pre-season training awaits for the players in the early part of next week before the squad travel down Champneys Spa Resort for more fitness work and team bonding.
McSheffrey is predicting an enjoyable few days ahead and is happy that the core of the squad has been kept intact after last season’s promotion winning campaign.
He continued: “Champneys is lovely. I’ve been there a couple of times before and there are some good facilities.
“It’s very healthy living, good food and it will be a good few days training there.
“It gives the new lads a chance to bond with the team as well and I’m sure it will be enjoyable.
“We’ve kept the core of the squad from last season and added three decent players so we’re confident that we can more than compete in this league.
“It’s going to be a difficult place to come to (Glanford Park) and we’re going to try and make it a fortress.”
It was a slightly frustrating time for McSheffrey at Scunthorpe last season with injuries restricting him to only 13 appearances in the second half of the campaign.
But the 31-year-old is determined to now play as much as he can and is hoping that the squad can use the confidence gained from last year’s success.
“I’ve got a bit of making up to do because I missed a lot of games last year,” he added.
“It wasn’t through any fault of my own but I’m determined to make up for that and play as many games as I can.
“We’re coming into this new league full of confidence off the back of an unbelievable unbeaten run last year and we’re going to take that confidence into our games.
“It’s a good league and there are no pushovers but we’re more than confident in our ability and our togetherness as a squad.”
See much more from Gary McSheffrey and more on The Iron Player.