The Iron made one signing on transfer deadline as Marnick Vermijl joined on loan from Preston North End, and manager Graham Alexander was happy to have completed the deal.
Meanwhile, midfielder Sam Mantom departed to sign on loan for Southend United until the end of the season.
Alexander gave his reaction to United’s deadline day business to iFollow Iron, whilst also commenting on Kevin van Veen’s departure to Northampton Town on Tuesday.
ON RIGHT-BACK MARNICK VERMIJL SIGNING ON LOAN…
GA: We are delighted to get Marnick on board. It is something I have spoken about quite frequently for the least five or six weeks, trying to get a recognised right-back in to support the team and compete with Levi Sutton, so we can release Duane Holmes into his more natural attacking positions. We were delighted to get the deal done. I spoke to him a few times and he was also delighted to get on board. He hasn’t played as much as he would have liked to at Preston. This gives him the opportunity to compete in a good team and play games. That for me, was our number one target on Wednesday.
ON SAM MANTOM JOINING SOUTHEND ON LOAN…
GA: Sam going out on loan to Southend is a good one for both parties. It is good for Southend because they are going to get a good player. It is good for us because we can’t guarantee him that game time at the moment. We have got a lot of depth now in central midfield with the players we have brought on board during January. It gives us the opportunity to get Sam some games and he can come back to us with 15 games under his belt, in a better way physically to compete again here.
ON KEVIN VAN VEEN SIGNING PERMANENTLY FOR NORTHAMPTON…
GA: I spoke to Kev on Monday after training, when I was made aware of the interest and bid from Northampton. I had a good conversation with him as did the club, and then found out on Tuesday morning that he decided to take up the offer from Northampton and do the deal. I, as the manager, and the club as whole, valued Kev as a player out on the pitch because he was playing and scoring goals. There is always a balance between the business side and the football side. We have to work together and it is important that we do that. Northampton are getting a good player, but we got money on board for a player who was going to be out of contract. He was frustrating at times, but he showed moments of brilliance as well. He was a lovely lad – you could always have a laugh and a joke with him. I’m glad we had the chance to work with him because I really enjoyed my time with him. I wish him well on his future with Northampton.
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