Neal Bishop has been impressed with the effort put into training this week and insists the squad is raring to go for Saturday’s fixture against Doncaster.
“Training has been intense this week,” said the midfielder.“I’ve noticed a difference in everyone – we’ve all been wanting to get involved. There’s been a few firm tackles here and there but that’s brilliant in my eyes.”
The former Blackpool player told The Iron Player how Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Oldham has had a big effect on him and his teammates. He expressed his disappointment at the result having been 2-1 up at half-time and said the players have to take responsibility.
He said: “All the right things were said at half time but, as players, we didn’t go out and do it. Sometimes you’ve just got to hold your hands up and admit it wasn’t good enough.
“It’s easy to blame this that and the other but at times you need some self-analysis. We want to look at ourselves in the mirror and work on improving.”
This has been the focus in training this week for Scunthorpe with double sessions on Monday and Tuesday this week.
“Considering our position in the league we’re not coming to training laughing and joking,” said the 33-year-old.
“We’re working hard and it’s essential we take this effort into the game on Saturday.
“Supporters don’t want to hear about how good training has gone only for us not to perform when it counts. The lads are fully focussed and looking to make amends on Saturday.”
The defeat to Oldham was Bishop’s first appearance back from injury after missing the games against Orient, Coventry and Chesterfield.
The central midfielder said that it is great to be back in the side but was first to admit there is room for improvement.
“I was a bit disappointed with my performance but I’m glad to be back in the squad,” he said.
“I’m just looking forward to having a full week of training under my belt and am raring to go for the game against Doncaster.”
Bishop believes the local nature of the opposition on Saturday will add some extra spice to the fixture, a game in which he labelled “perfect for turning our season around.”
He said: “Obviously you want to play in front of big crowds with an atmosphere and Doncaster will probably bring a couple of thousand. Local bragging rights are at stake and we just have to make sure we turn up and give our fans something to cheer about.”
According to the midfielder, Doncaster are a force to be reckoned with, especially considering the fact they have a similar squad to last season’s in the Championship. He said: “They’ve got some quality players but we have the home advantage.
“We’ve just got to show the supporters that our league position is hurting us just as much as it’s hurting them.”
See much more from Neal Bishop, and others, on The Iron Player.