Manager Graham Alexander has been previewing the away League One clash against Northampton Town with iFollow Iron.
The United boss discussed numerous recent topics, previewed the game, provided injury news and congratulated Iron fans Tracey and Richard Bailey on attending their 1,000th consecutive game in all competitions.
ON FACING NORTHAMPTON AGAIN…
GA: It’s another big game for us because we want to get three points. We know the toughness of playing against them, as they’ve been two tight games (United have already faced them twice in the last fortnight in the FA Cup). I thought our performance was very good the other night, but it was only 1-0. We have to make sure we do things right on and off the ball to make sure follow up that result with another good result. We’re not underestimating Northampton’s qualities.
ON TUESDAY NIGHT…
GA: We know we created some real good opportunities the other night and could have scored more. We need to take advantage of our attacking play by being a bit more clinical in front of goal and we cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal. I don’t want to take away the shine from the performance and the result, but we have to make sure we constantly try and improve on the things we feel we can improve on.
"This week, there are probably 15 or 16 players really pushing to be in that team and who have got good cases. That’s the scenario I want to be in, I want to have these tough decisions to make. The players have certainly made it difficult for me."
ON NORTHAMPTON’S CHANGES…
GA: We were missing some important players as well. I thought that evened itself out the other night. I would also suggest they will make some changes and we’ve got some tough decisions to make before Saturday, whether to bring players back in or stick with the players that played so well. This week, there are probably 15 or 16 players really pushing to be in that team and who have got good cases. That’s the scenario I want to be in, I want to have these tough decisions to make. The players have certainly made it difficult for me. I don’t think either team will change dramatically from how they want to play and the personnel. Whatever formation or personnel we put out we will still have to run hard, work hard for each other, pass the ball, commit to our attacking game and defend well. All the fundamentals on how we want to play will stay the same.
ON MATT GILKS AND JOSH MORRIS…
GA: Matt is fine and will be outside training. On Tuesday it was quickly released (his back spasm) by the medical team and he’s fine, so there will be no problems there. With Josh (hamstring), we’ve just to wait and see how he is before making a decision. We’ve got lots of games coming thick and fast and we’ve got players, like we saw the other night, who can come into the side and play well.
ON ANDREW CROFTS RETURNING FROM WALES INTERNATIONAL DUTY…
GA: He got in about half an hour for the Wales team the other night, which was great for him. He will come back and train for us and I’m sure he is fit enough to go again.
ON CLAYTON LEWIS COMING BACK FROM INTERNATIONAL DUTY WITH NEW ZEALAND…
GA: It’s similar to the Rory McArdle situation (with Northern Ireland), where I know they will both come back disappointed in not having the opportunity to go to a World Cup. It’s a shame for both boys. We will have to look at Clayton and take into account the amount of travelling he has done to see if he will be okay to be involved on Saturday. We’re looking forward to him coming back.
ON TRACEY AND RICHARD BAILEY REACHING 1,000 CONSECUTIVE SCUNTHORPE GAMES…
GA: That’s fantastic. Especially with the fixture list we face in England and the distances we have to travel for away games, it can be really difficult to commit to every single game, but to do 1,000 on a bounce is brilliant. It means they’re hardy souls, so it’s great credit to them. It’s not just them, there are lots of people that put a lot of time and effort into supporting us a team. That’s why we take every game as seriously as we can in every competition.
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