Midfielder Neal Bishop knows not to get carried away with the Iron’s start, but he realises it is still important to get points early in the season.
The 36-year-old is very happy with the performances so far, knowing that they have to continue for the rest of the season.
Speaking to iFollow Iron, Bishop gave his thoughts on last weekend’s win, this Saturday’s game at home to Blackpool and much more.
ON THE 1-0 WIN VERSUS BURY…
NB: I think it was a good performance, we were very strong for the 90 minutes. I think we dealt with what they had very well and then we stamped our own authority on it and played good football at times, along with another clean sheet away from home.
ON THE IRON’S START…
NB: Barring the Middlesbrough game, where we probably didn’t really turn up on the night, we’ve been very good. Even the game against Sunderland in the Checkatrade Trophy, the lads that come in continued that and did really well. We’re building, but it is only five league games into a long, long season. We know what this league is like, we saw it last season. We’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves, it’s a long old slog, but it is important to get the points on the board early, it can take you far. People talk about the business end of the season, but three points in September is worth as much as three points in March or April. You want to get as many points on the board as quickly as possible. It’s important you focus on the next game ahead. We’ve got another tough week coming up, two homes and then Doncaster away, but you look at every game in this league and you’ll think that will be another tough game.
"They’re all good players and any one of them could come into the team and you wouldn’t notice a gap in quality."
ON THE COMPETITION WITHIN THE SQUAD…
NB: It’s really good. If you look at most squads, it’s two players for every position, but then we’ve got five central midfielders, which is extra competition. They’re all good players and any one of them could come into the team and you wouldn’t notice a gap in quality. It’s very much a squad game. We’re going to need everyone. We have got depth, we have got quality ready to come in and it’s up to us boys who are starting to keep those shirts. We know that if our performance levels dip one or two per cent, there’s going to be someone snapping our heels to take our place.
ON BLACKPOOL’S SIDE…
NB: I think they’ve got a good manager, an experienced one. Obviously they’re coming off the back of a promotion. They’ve got momentum and started really well. We won’t underestimate them and we know we will have to be at our best to get anything from the game, but it's one we’re looking forward to and we'll relish being back on our own patch.
ON THE RECENT AWAY TRIPS…
NB: We went probably as far north as you can go at Middlesbrough and then as far south at Plymouth in one week. The lads have done really well, physically, with a lot of miles and travelling. It was tough going to Middlesbrough on a Tuesday night, then Plymouth and then Bury, so I think mentally we are strong.
ON HIS FITNESS…
NB: I’m feeling really good. I managed to complete the full pre-season and didn’t manage to miss a day. I think whether you are 16 or 36, you need that pre-season, you need to work your legs, to be tested mentally and physically. You find out a lot about people in pre-season, if they’re going to be with you for the season when it gets hard and tough. I still enjoy doing it and testing myself. The sport scientist boys here are really good. Everything we do is done for a purpose and hopefully it shows on the pitch.
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