United manager Russ Wilcox was delighted with his side’s performance against Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon.
The Iron beat the Championship Terriers 1-0 courtesy of a second half strike from Paddy Madden.Wilcox felt his side gave a complete performance at Glanford Park and it was the first time the United boss had fielded his strongest squad of pre-season thus far.
He told The Iron Player: “I was delighted with today. Obviously we are not going to get too carried away with everything today as it’s only a pre-season game.
“Nothing rests on it, no points are gained or lost.
“It was a very pleasing performance in the heat that we had to deal with.
“I thought our whole game was very pleasing, we were solid, compact and organised without the ball and we were creative with the ball."
Wilcox continued: “We caused Huddersfield a lot of problems and scored a really good goal. It was some great play down the right hand side for Paddy’s goal and we probably could have had a couple more.”
The majority of United’s players got 90 minutes under their belt for the second time in a week.
Playing in those conditions, in excess of 80 degrees sun, could prove vital when it comes to the opening day of the new season in just two weeks time.
The forecast could be something similar to those conditions experienced by the lads against Huddersfield or it could be much cooler.
With that in mind Wilcox felt it was wise that his players were able to acclimatise to hot conditions.
Wilcox said: “Our fitness levels look good and that was a really good work out for all the lads in that heat.
“Come August 9 it might be that hot again.
“There were some excellent performances and I thought collectively we were outstanding.”
To get a win against a strong Championship outfit with breed confidence in the Iron ranks and Wilcox says that is even more pleasing as Town played an unorthodox formation.
They arrived at Glanford Park looking to overfill the midfield area and make it difficult for United’s central midfield partnership of Sean McAllister and Neal Bishop to play.
“It was pleasing because they have thrown out a 3-5-2 system and they have tried to overload the midfield,” Wilcox told the club’s media team following the 1-0 win.
“There were times when we had to alter our formation to compete with them but to be honest when you are playing against the likes of Nahki Wells, who for me is a top class striker.
“If they put him back on the market tomorrow they could easily get three or four million for him,” he continued.
“They have pinched him for the price they got him for.
“I am delighted with our two centre halves and the whole back four.”
Wilcox added: “I thought our midfielder was very hard working and creating and we caused them a lot of problems at the top end of the pitch.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox, and others, on The Iron Player.