The Iron’s Gary McSheffrey was delighted that the team managed to get their first league win of the season in the 2-1 victory over Walsall on Saturday.
Speaking to The Iron Player, the scorer of United's second goal believed that it was important for the team to get that monkey off their backs and said that it was something that they believed was coming.He said: "We were saying during the week that our performances have been a bit better and we’ve been going in the right direction but we just didn’t get the points.
"It was pleasing to just get the win, we made it hard for ourselves at the end and we had to hang on a little bit but we dug deep, stuck together and got the win which was the main thing."
Asked what he made of the Iron’s opponents Walsall on the day, the ex-Coventry and Birmingham man believed that they were a difficult side to play against and thinks that a victory over them is something that the side should be pleased with.
He said: "They try and play football, they’ve got some tidy players and had a couple of opportunities where we could’ve been punished in the end but they were missing a bit of a killer instinct and you know, we’re thankful for that really.
"They’re a good outfit, a solid League One team, they’re always there or thereabouts and always seem to have good runs and be just outside of the play-offs.
"They’re a dangerous team and a tricky team to come against so we’re delighted with the win.’’
The Iron went in at the break goalless but the winger explained how manager Russ Wilcox said at half time that he believed that the game was there for the team to go on and get their first win if the team could just up it that bit more.
"At half time, he basically just said that the game is there for the taking," he said.
"There wasn’t really much to the game, we were huffing and puffing a bit and it was a hot day, the weather wasn’t great for the tempo of the game but we felt that if we got the first goal and if every individual went up a gear that we had enough to beat them and that was the case."
The 32-year-old was also pleased that the Iron managed to hold on to the lead despite some late pressure from the Saddlers, acknowledging that it wasn’t something that was always the case last season and was pleased with how the team looked in keeping their lead.
"It was very pleasing that we managed to hold on," he said.
"It was questioned a few times last year, we let in a few late goals which took the three points away from us but you know, they were always draws so we were always in a winning position.
"I thought we looked solid; we gave away a few corners and there were some last ditch tackles but that’s to be expected.
"You’re not gonna get a free ride in this league, that’s for sure so we’re happy with the outcome of the game."
McSheffrey, who joined the club back in January from Chesterfield, scored a terrific free kick in the second half from around 35 yards out, his first goal for the club and was delighted to get off the mark in an Iron shirt.
He stated: "We do a few in training but it was quite far out to be honest and it was in more of a crossing position but I just felt that the goalkeeper was edging off his line a bit so I decided to have a go and luckily, it went in.
"It’s my first goal for Scunthorpe and I couldn’t be more delighted with the way that’s it turned out, I’m buzzing that we got the points and pleased to get my first goal for the club."
See much more from Gary McSheffrey, and others, on The Iron Player.