Iron winger Gary McSheffrey has faith in his United colleagues to keep converting the chances he creates after another starring role during midweek.
The 31-year-old added two more assists to his name during Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road, with his left-footed deliveries from dead-ball’s causing problems for a number of teams in recent weeks.However, the Coventry-born winger credited his teammates for such form, and added: “We usually get a few free-kicks around the box, so it’s just about putting it in the right areas.
“We’ve got four or five players who really attack the ball well, and Sam [Winnall] has produced two great finishes. He’s a real fox in the box at the minute, so he’s doing well. If I put them in the right areas, I know we’ll score goals.”
The performance of McSheffrey during midweek demonstrated impressive character, after the January signing saw his penalty saved against Burton Albion just three days earlier.
That save prevented the wide-man from breaking his Iron duck, and he admitted: “Obviously I was gutted about missing the penalty, but I tried to get it out of my mind straight away and finish the game well by working hard.
“We saw out Saturday well in the last 10 minutes, and it was nice to get a couple of assists on Tuesday to make up for it. A goal would be nice, and I can’t wait to get my first.
“It was an important win for us [on Tuesday]. We scored at key moments in the game; just before half-time and not long after half-time. It was a good professional performance, and a great win.”
The midweek victory against the Robins saw United remain seven points clear of fourth-placed Fleetwood Town with just seven games of the regular season now remaining as they look to complete a return to League One at the first time of asking.
Up next for the Iron as they continue their promotion charge is the visit of struggling Wycombe Wanderers to Glanford Park on Saturday, and McSheffrey added: “It’s going to be a tough game.
“Their manager gave 110% in every game of his career, and never shirked any kind of battle. He’ll install that into his own players, so we expect a tough game.
“They have two or three really good individuals as well, so we’ve got to be right at our game and prepare right. We’ll look after ourselves, and if we play in the right manner and with professionalism then we should come away with the points.
“Anyone can beat anyone in this league, but we’ve got to make sure that isn’t the case at the weekend.”
If the Iron avoid defeat to the Chairboys at the weekend, they will also mark their place in the history by establishing the longest unbeaten run in Football League history under a newly-appointed manager.
In doing so, they would better the efforts of Preston North End’s William Suddel, who successfully navigated his side through the first 23 matches of the inaugural 1888/1889 Football League campaign without losing as the Lilywhites lifted the maiden First Division Championship.
The opportunity to do just that is one the United players are relishing, and McSheffrey said: “It would be great. It’s a huge achievement.
“Although there have been a lot of draws along the way, when you put three wins together you get that feel-good factor back and you realise it’s a big achievement. The lads have done well, and I’ve been lucky to be part of it, so it’s great for the football club.”
“Records are great, but the ultimate aim is seeing out these last seven games. We need to get a good result against Wycombe and get promoted, because records get forgotten about if you don’t get over the finishing line.
“That’s our objective, and our main aim.”
See much more from Gary McSheffrey, Russ Wilcox and Niall Canavan on The Iron Player.