“Frustration” was the buzz word from assistant manager Ned Kelly as he spoke for the first time since Sunday’s postponement against Sheffield United.
The former Newcastle striker spoke to Scunthorpe-United.co.uk ahead of preparations for the Iron’s next game, which takes place on January 6, 2015, with Scunthorpe still to find out their opponents in the Third Round of the FA Cup.“It’s been a little bit frustrating,” Kelly said.
“When all of that snow came down, we had a little bit of a inkling (that the game would not be taking place). Such is football. We all got out to see other games which was a small bonus for the staff and a few days off for the players which is good to give them a bit of a rest.”
He added: “We now look forward to next week.”
Traditionally, the festive period is dubbed to be fixture heavy with some years seeing clubs play four times in little over a week. This time out, the absence of a match on New Year’s Day and the delaying of United’s exploits in the FA Cup see the Iron without a match in nine days.
“It’s a little bit frustrating and frustration is the key word really,” he continued.
“You set up to play and you’re ready to play. Everything was in place to put in a performance and hopefully get a good result, but then it is kyboshed by the weather. Such is life.
“It’s easy to prepare for the next game (despite not knowing the opponents). We will train as usual and there’s obviously a game to see on Friday night where we will be finding out who we will be playing and that will give us a little bit of time to prepare beforehand.
“Come what may, whoever we get we will be as professional as we can and set out to get through the game. We will have a presence there for the game between MK Dons and Chesterfield.”
He added: “Whether that’s me and the gaffer or the gaffer and Lee Turnbull; that’s still to be decided. It will be an interesting game for us to go and see and we don’t mind who we play, we’ll be up for the game. We’ve got enough in the team to get through the tie.”
The fourth round draw will have already taken place prior to Scunthorpe’s third round clash, but Kelly insists that will not affect anything – even if the club draw a big club.
He said: “With no disrespect to anyone left in the hat, it will not matter. The incentive is there to win and get through the tie irrespective of who we will progress on to play."
He added: “We will be fortunate to be in the hat, everyone will be pleased about that. But who we get will be immaterial really.”