United defender Niall Canavan says the squad were pleased with the Bottesford workout on Wednesday evening.
That focus will now switch to Saturday’s match with Gainsborough Trinity.The Iron beat Bottesford 3-1 and the game with Trinity provides another opportunity to strore vital match practice ahead of the new season.
And Canavan has stated that the team will look to play their game and put away the chances if and when they come.
He told The Iron Player: “We’re not sure how they’ll approach it so we’ll see what they do early doors.
“They’ll probably come out and try and press high but we’ll just look to put our game on them and look to put them to the sword a little bit if we get the chances.
“The emphasis is on just getting minutes more than anything.
“Just getting used to the things you do in a game and it’s all geared towards the first match of the season which is fast approaching now.
“Hopefully we can get through it with no injuries and move onto the one after that.”
Sam Winnall’s first half strike and a Paddy Madden double secured victory for Scunthorpe against Bottesford in the club’s first pre-season fixture of the summer.
But Canavan stressed that the emphasis is on building match fitness and coming out of the match with no injuries.
“I think we probably could have scored more goals but to have come out of it with the good fitness work and no injuries was the main thing so all in all, we were pleased with the workout.
“It’s nice to win but the main thing is that you keep building up your match fitness, getting used to being out there on the pitch and playing with each other again.
“We came out with no injuries so that’s the main thing so that everyone’s in the best possible shape come the first game.
“There were a few bobbles on the pitch which was commented on by the lads but that’s all part of pre-season and it’s a good test so we move onto the next one.”
It’s been two weeks now since the squad returned for full pre-season training and only a further three until the start of the new campaign.
Canavan has enjoyed getting back into the swing of things and whilst he admits that it’s always tough, he knows it’s part of the job.
He added: “Pre-season has been enjoyable and the new lads have come in and blended in really well.
“The confidence is still there from last season and the lads have been looking sharp so hopefully we can continue that, move onto the next game and step it up a gear.
“It’s always tough but it’s just part of the job really.
“It’s never a nice time for anyone but once you get through it, you get the rewards.
“The lads have been looking sharp and everyone has been putting in the hard work.”
See much more from Niall Canavan and Matt Sparrow on The Iron Player.