Manager Graham Alexander is looking forward to his side bringing the performance and endeavour that saw the Iron beat Burton Albion into their latest encounter against Crewe Alexandra.
The Railwaymen go into the game having already had relegation to League Two confirmed last weekend, but the United boss has told his players to put the opposition's situation aside and focus on putting on a performance worthy of picking up three more points with just five games remaining this season.“We’ve had a good week’s training,” he said, talking to The Iron PlayerHD.
“We’ve had to look after them physically because there were a couple of tired bodies after last week. We’re now back in shape and looking forward to the game. It will be a game where we have to focus on our game properly. There’s been a lot of talk about Crewe being relegated and their problems, but we have to put that to the side and make sure that we are focused.
“It will be a tough game and they are a League One side until the summer. Their pride will be hurting after getting relegated last weekend and Steve Davis is a proud manager as well, so he will want his team to put on a performance.
“We’re in a professional sport and you have to commit to every single game. The supporters expect that, the people who pay your wages expect that and if you’re professional you should expect that from yourself as well. We’re under no illusions that Crewe have their threats but we have to make sure that we are right at it.
“If we put in the commitment and determination that we put in last week against Burton, we’ve got a good chance of getting a result on Saturday.”
The club named a strong line-up for the midweek Final Third Development League game against Notts County, with Kyle Wootton grabbing the Iron’s goal in a 1-1 draw.
He said the minutes will bode well for the players who haven’t had as much first team action in recent weeks as the end of the season nears, with Alexander wanting all players to keep their match sharpness in the event they are called upon.
“We just felt that players who haven’t had a lot of game time recently can lose their match sharpness,” he continued.
“Training can never replicate a match scenario 100 per cent. You can do your best to do that, but a game always has something extra whether it is first team or a development game. I thought all the players approached the game in the right manner and got some vital minutes under their belts.
“They’ll be in contention for Saturday and they have to use it for their own benefit. If their opportunity arises to be in the team, they will have given themselves the best chance. It was a really worthwhile exercise.”
See much more from manager Graham Alexander, Tom Hopper, David Mirfin and Jamie Ness as they preview the trip to Crewe Alexandra on The Iron PlayerHD.
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