Ned Kelly says Scunthorpe will take their recent impressive home form into the game against Port Vale on Tuesday night.
United have won the last two fixtures at Glanford Park, beating Peterborough and most recently Crawley - and have lost just once in their last seven on home turf.“We played some good stuff at home against Peterborough and again on Saturday,” said Kelly.
“We’ve had some good support from fans at Glanford Park and we hope to take that into the game against Port Vale.”
Mark Robins’ number two praised the performance that earned the Iron a 2-1 victory against Crawley on Saturday, but admitted disappointment at the lack of more goals and a clean sheet.
“A third goal would have saved a bit of nerves towards the end of the game. The match could have been dead and buried as we had a few good opportunities at 2-0,” he said.
“We just need to be a bit clinical in the final third. A clean sheet would also go down well. We’re working very hard at stopping crosses and blocking shots – all the basic parts of the game that keep the ball out of the net.”
Kelly said the claret and blue are trying to play “fast, attacking football”, but admitted the first priority is to score goals.
The assistant manager revealed Alex Davey will not be available for Tuesday’s clash against the Vale, meaning one of Miguel Llera or Andrew Boyce is set to start.
He said: “Davey is being monitored at the moment. We are currently waiting to hear the result from his MRI scan and a decision will then be made with Chelsea and ourselves, but he is not available for the Port Vale game.”
Elsewhere, in terms of injury news, Slocombe is back in contention along with Niall Canavan, who recently sustained a head injury. However, midfield duo Isaiah Osbourne and Neal Bishop are both slightly stiff, meaning they may have to be monitored before Tuesday night’s encounter.
Liam O’Neil, on the other hand, has been sent back to West Brom after sustaining an ankle injury in training. The West Brom midfielder has scored twice in 22 appearances since arriving at Glanford Park in November.
“It is disappointing for Liam as he’s made a really positive contribution since he’s been here,” said Kelly.
“He’s been very good both on the pitch and in the dressing room as he’s quite a lively character and is well thought of by the rest of the squad. Hopefully it’s nothing serious and we wish him well.”
Port Vale, who drew against promotion-chasers MK Dons at the weekend, are without a win in six games, but Kelly said Scunthorpe are purely concentrating on their own performance.
He said: “Again, we’ll try and set up to be very forward thinking. We’ll be concentrating on what’s best for us and hopefully we’re able to convert our chances in the attacking areas. We’ll play tomorrow, hopefully win the three points, and go to Colchester and do the same thing.
“It’s all about the next game.”