Gary McSheffrey believes United's three-match unbeaten run could be the start of a run of results that could push Scunthorpe up the table.
He told The Iron Player that he sees no reason why the club can’t use recent results as a means of driving on and improving the league position.“It’s still early days and two or three wins can get you to the middle of the table, providing other results go your way,” he said.
“But we’ve just got to take care of our own games.
"You look at the likes of Crewe, who people said were dead and buried, yet they’ve just got three wins on the trot.”
McSheffrey missed Tuesday evening’s hard-fought 2-2 draw against Port Vale through suspension but comes back in contention for the weekend fixture against Notts County.
“It’s disappointing as I’ve not had many suspensions in my career,” said the former Coventry midfielder.
“But I’ve served my ban and I feel fresh and raring to go. Hopefully I get the nod and can get back involved.”
McSheffrey praised the spirit his teammates showed to come back from 2-1 down despite having Jennison Myrie-Williams sent off in the second period.
He said: “It was a great response from the lads to grab a point having conceded just before going a man down. Port Vale away is a difficult place to go and to equalise after playing with ten men for half an hour is very good going.”
This sort of never-say-die attitude is needed in a squad, says the midfielder. After conceding a few late goals last season McSheffrey was pleased to see such fighting spirit from his teammates.
He said: “It was good to see us digging in for the last five minutes and soak up the pressure. We’ve conceded a few late goals in the past but to score one ourselves is a step in the right direction.”
However, McSheffrey also added: “Playing until the final whistle is a given, and your heads should never go down so it was good to see us getting that result against Port Vale.”
He said training has been productive this week and that every player has prepared well for the weekend fixture against Notts County at Glanford Park.
The Magpies are unbeaten in their last ten games, scoring eight in their last two, something McSheffrey is well aware of. The two sides faced each other previously this month in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, a match that ended 2-1 to the visitors.
“We more than matched them on that night and we should’ve won the game, but hopefully we’ll get the right result on Saturday,” said the 32-year-old.
“County will come here very confident,” he said. “But we’ve got to produce the goods and get the win ourselves.”
See much more from Gary McSheffrey, Mark Robins, Shaun Brisley and Luke Williams on The Iron Player.