Defender Jordan Clarke believes Saturday’s fixture at Charlton Athletic will be a difficult test, given the two tough encounters with the Addicks already this season.
However, the former Coventry defender stated the Iron are going into the game feeling positive, after an important win at Northampton Town last weekend.Speaking to The Iron PlayerHD, Clarke said: “They looked strong (in the FA Cup tie in November).
“They’ve got really good quality, and I’m sure on their day they could give anyone a run for their money.
“It’s going to be quite an open game, because the pitch is quite big and, as long as we can implement our passing game and defend well again, I’m sure we can get the result.”
Talking from a personal perspective, Clarke believes the extra rest time from having no midweek game will be hugely helpful, following his injury lay-off earlier on in the campaign.
“It’s crucial for the team and it’s definitely crucial for me,” he stated.
“After being out injured and playing the Christmas period, and then continuing to play, it can be a shock to the system and it does creep up on you.
“It’s definitely good to have a week without a midweek game, and hopefully we can get recharged and push on even better.”
Clarke says to win with a really strong display at Northampton was crucial, especially with the fixture coming so soon after a disappointing outcome at Oxford United in the Checkatrade Trophy in the days beforehand.
“It was good to get the points and bounce back from particularly a disappointing result against Oxford United,” Clarke declared.
“I was very disappointed with my own personal performance (against Oxford), as was the whole team.
“For that reason, it was very important to bounce back and get back to winning ways.”
He felt the bedrock of the win and performance was the excellent defensive resolve shown by the whole team, not just the back four he was a part of.
That, along with the quality demonstrated in the final third, made for a solid all-round display according to Clarke, who reiterated his elation at taking all three points.
“I thought all the lads worked hard, I thought we did the right things at the right times and we defended resolutely,” he explained.
“Especially in the second half, we looked a threat on the counter attack as well.
“I feel as though we did well, including right at the end where they had a corner and everyone was throwing their bodies on the line.
“Those little things have been instilled in us. I feel as though it was a great reaction, with Josh Morris' goal topping it off.”
See much more from Jordan Clarke and Kevin van Veen on The Iron PlayerHD.
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