Caretaker manager Andy Dawson has stated his side have to look forward after the departure of manager Russ Wilcox and his assistant John Schofield.
The Iron are positioned second from bottom in the League One table with two wins from eleven fixtures, with player-coach Dawson asked to step in with Academy Manager Tony Daws as United lock horns with Kent outfit Gillingham at MEMS Priestfield on Saturday.“Obviously there was disappointment (amongst the players),” Dawson told The Iron Player.
“But unfortunately that is part of football. We can only look forward and the next game is Gillingham.
“The position we are in the table means we need to start picking points up and hopefully we will be able to do that on Saturday.
"All of the games are important now and we need to start picking points up and quickly."
Gillingham go into this fixture having both scored and conceded three goals in a midweek penalty shoot out win over Colchester United, showing both their possible attacking threat and defensive frailties.
“We’ve had a chat about Gillingham and teams in this league can beat anybody on their day, but also they’re very beatable,” he continued.
“We’ll go there full of respect for them – I know the manager and assistant manager so I know what kind of teams he expects.
"It’s all about us now though and it’s about the lads focusing on Saturday, preparing them mentally and physically. There’s no reason why we cannot go down there, put in a good performance and come back with three points.”
United ironically have a long journey south for their first game without a manager, which comes in similar circumstances to when Wilcox was given a remit by the Chairman as Scunthorpe last year travelled to Portsmouth
“A six hour coach trip is how it starts off,” said Dawson.
“We’ve prepared for that, we know what we’re coming up against. The day is planned and we will be training when we get down there, so everything is ready to go and hopefully we will be returning with some points.
“It’s not about me. It’s about preparing the lads, it’s about Scunthorpe United, it’s about three points and it’s about climbing the table. It’s not about me or the coaching staff, it’s about everybody sticking together.
“We’ve lost a fantastic man in Russ Wilcox and his assistant John Schofield. They’re top men and I’m full of respect for them, but we have to prepare the lads to go down to Gillingham and get three points.
“That’s all we can do and we can’t look far ahead. The most important thing is Saturday and if we win hopefully then we can get on a run and then things start rolling. When we do that I’m sure we will do okay.”
Speaking about the departing Wilcox, Dawson had nothing but good words for him, particularly for what he did for the club last season.
He said: “Russ’ record speaks for himself and it was a fantastic achievement that he can take away for himself and for what he’s done for the club last year.
"If you get on a roll, you start winning games and confidence grows and all of a sudden, you don’t think you will get beaten and that’s what was instilled by him.”
See much more from Andy Dawson on The Iron Player.