Following the abandonment of United’s pre-season fixture with Union Unis Gschwandt, manager Graham Alexander expressed his disappointment.
However, at the same, he conceded it was out of everyone’s hands.The match was brought to a halt just after the half-hour mark due to heavy thunderstorms, which ultimately led to a waterlogged pitch and, despite his frustrations, Alexander feels it was the sensible and correct decision from the referee.
Alexander told The Iron PlayerHD. “It’s really disappointing, but unfortunately we can’t control the weather.
“It probably was the decision the referee had to make, because there was no telling of how long it would go on for.
“So it was a shame but, in the half-hour, I think the players approached the game in the right way, and we obviously took the lead.”
Alexander highlighted the plight of the Iron’s opponents too, stating just how big a game it was for them.
He praised their attitude throughout the 31 minutes and stated it was a good test for his players.
Alexander added: “I was speaking to their manager after the game and he was disappointed in the referee for calling it off, because he pleaded with him that it would clear within half an hour.
“It was a big game for them, and we were made to feel very welcome. Plus I feel they were very decent for the half-hour in which they played against us, and I think if we’d have managed to get a full game it would have been a decent test for us at this stage of the season.
“They tried to knock it about and be very competitive, which is good for us. We don’t want a testimonial match, we want to be pushed and challenged.”
The abandonment does mean there will be a rapid shuffling of the pack, in terms of how the upcoming training sessions will be structured says the Iron boss.
However, Alexander insisted his squad will be ready to get back to work, as they prepare to face FC Liefering on Friday (5.30pm kick-off UK time).
“It is a shame though, because every day is meticulously planned between the coaches and the medical staff, and obviously we’ll have to alter that now,” he explained.
“The next few days' training programme will be adapted to make sure the players get what they need to prepare for the future games.
“We’ll reschedule, and we’ll go again, ready to work hard.”
See much more from Graham Alexander on The Iron PlayerHD.
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