United manager Russ Wilcox believes midfielder Dave Syers is North Lincolnshire’s answer to Bryan Robson.
That came after the 26-year-old’s latest goal-scoring exploits helped guide his side to three points against Plymouth on Saturday.Syers moved into double figures for the campaign in Devon, with his 78th minute strike setting the Iron on their way to a crucial victory as they continue their bid to complete a return to League One at the first time of asking.
Such a record is made all the more impressive by the University of Leeds graduate having not joined the Iron until October, and Wilcox told The Iron Player: “He’s having an amazing season.
“That’s 10 goals in 21 appearances, and any striker would be proud of that, let alone as a midfield player. He has an incredible knack of being in the right place at the right time, and seems to know where the ball is going to land.
“For older people, he’s very much like Bryan Robson in the way he gets beyond the strikers. He doesn’t get involved in build-up play a lot but he’s there to finish it off, which is a good habit.”
Wilcox also reserved special praise for Syers’ partner in crime in central midfield, Sean McAllister, after the 26-year-old returned from a minor calf injury to star against the Pilgrims.
McAllister has played a key role in United’s club record unbeaten run, and Wilcox added: “He was touch-and-go for the Southend game, and it was a wise choice to leave him out for one game so he was available for 10.
“I think he showed on Saturday what he’s about. In a way he was the playmaker being the spare man. He got on the ball, and he made us tick.
“Obviously he also did the part of his game he’s done all season; winning second balls, and being in the right position when the ball comes out of their box. Again, that’s not down to luck, it’s down to good play.”
“He’s intelligent enough to know where the ball is going to land, and nine times out of 10 he lands on it.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox on The Iron Player.