Scunthorpe striker Paddy Madden was disappointed he could not mark Irish Iron day with a goal as Mark Robins’ side were held to a 1-1 draw by Sheffield United.
The Irishman was impressed by the atmosphere at Glanford Park, but was frustrated that he could not take one of his second half chances to give United all three points.The Iron striker felt that there were plenty of positives to take from the team’s performance that they could carry into the remaining weeks of the season.
Madden told The Iron Player: “I’m disappointed with myself. My shooting boots just aren’t at it at the minute. I should win it for the team with those two chances at the end.
“I’ve let the boys down with the two chances, but I have to keep going and I’m positive more goals will come. I wouldn’t say it’s a good point because of the chances we’ve had at the end.
“We played well again, in the first half they were on top, but in the second half we came out and showed them what we ‘re all about.
“It’s a good point considering we’re against a team battling in the play-off spots and if you get points against the teams up there and beat the teams around you, you’ll do well.”
The Iron do not have a game on Tuesday though as their scheduled clash against Bradford has been rearranged due to the Bantams being in FA Cup action.
Madden would have liked to have had the opportunity to bounce back on Tuesday, but felt the extra time would allow the Iron to work on things in training.
He said: “On a personal note, I’d rather have a game on Tuesday so you can try and bounce back. As a striker, I don’t like missing chances like I missed and I’d rather not have too much time to think about it.
“I’d rather get back out there on the pitch, but that’s the way it is and we have a game next Saturday and I’ll look to do some extra shooting in training this week and get back to doing what I know I can do.”
The Iron created a couple of good chances in the second half and Madden said Mark Robins’ half time team talk helped to galvanise the side.
Madden said: “The gaffer told us to get tight as in the first half we gave them too much space and made them look like great players.
“When you get in their faces it makes it easier for you and we obviously did that in the second half and didn’t give then time and that led to us getting opportunities.”
Saturday saw a good crowd, with United celebrating 20 years of Irish Iron and the atmosphere around the ground before and also during the game was excellent.
Madden was full of praise for the day and also the club for arranging the event. The Iron striker enjoyed the occasion and seeing the fans having a great time.
He said: “It was a good atmosphere and credit to the club for having an Irish day, you don’t hear of many English teams doing that for different countries.
“It shows the club appreciates the fans abroad. There were a lot of Irish hats and that going around, so it was nice and I felt at home, like I was playing a match in Dublin.”
See much more from Paddy Madden, Andrew Boyce and Mark Robins on The Iron Player.