Following the Iron’s 2-0 triumph at Plymouth Argyle, manager Russ Wilcox praised every aspect of his side’s play as they made it 21 games without defeat.
After a goalless first half and much of the second half without finding the net, United got themselves in the ascendancy in the latter stages of proceedings with Dave Syers netting his tenth of the season.The Pilgrims had to chase the game, sending on three substitutes, but it was Scunthorpe who earned all three points. Hakeeb Adelakun’s low shot fortuitously trickled into the net after the ball hit the upright and bounced off goalkeeper Jake Cole.
“I thought it was a fantastic all-round performance,” Wilcox told The Iron Player.
“I thought we were very brave to come away from home and get on the ball with Sam Slocombe playing it out from the back. If we had played it from back to front against three centre halves, we would have had problems.”
“The lads have been brave and we’ve built through the lines and the thirds of the pitch and we played some outstanding football at times. I think it was so important to keep the ball from Plymouth and they’ve shown in glimpses what they’re about today.”
He added: “Alessandra and Reid are a force, but as a back four and a keeper, we’ve contained them really well.”
In earning the three points, Scunthorpe managed to register their first clean sheet since their goalless encounter with Hartlepool United at the start of February, something which particularly pleased the United manager.
“It’s really pleasing to have a clean sheet,” he continued.
“That’s our first one in seven games. That’s pleasing because it gives us a basis to work from. Maybe lady luck was with us a bit today. We deserved it today after the last few weeks.”
He added: “It’s not about luck, but they hit the post and if that one goes in at 0-0; it is probably a different story.”
On a pitch that was both in good condition and wider than others in League Two, United had free reign to play the flowing football that has got them to the position they are in – something which was executed really well, according to the man in the hot seat.
See much more from Russ Wilcox, Dave Syers, Sean McAllister and Paul Hayes on The Iron Player.