Assistant manager Neil McDonald praised United’s attacking play, as they won 3-2 at Fleetwood Town on Saturday.
A Josh Morris first-half brace put Scunthorpe 2-0 up. The hosts had Ashley Eastham sent off for handball in the penalty area (a spot-kick Morris netted his second from) but hit back through Ashley Hunter and Bobby Grant.
Nevertheless, Ivan Toney stepped up to curl home a free-kick which sealed a first victory since January 1st for the Iron.
ON THE WIN…
NM: In the end, we scored three goals. We could have doubled that easily but we didn’t. We just left it a little bit tight with conceding the two, but I thought overall it was a well-deserved victory. The attacking display was great, we found the men in the space, delivered inside the box, found the runners inside the box and got plenty of people in there, creating lots of chances. We probably should have scored more, but we didn’t. We then had to deal with the ten-man situation in the second-half. It took a fantastic free-kick from Ivan Toney to finish it off. It gives the team huge confidence but there’s still lots of work to do, and that we can improve on.
ON THE ATTACKING DISPLAY…
NM: We’ve definitely been more clinical, though I still think we could have scored more but I suppose that’s greedy. Scoring three good goals away from home shows the intent the team has, wanting to play on the front foot, and wanting to play attacking football. When the chances come along, we have to stick them in the net. We scored three, which was excellent.
ON IVAN TONEY’S CONTRIBUTION…
NM: He complemented the team really well. His interlink play was really good and he was a threat inside the box. He had a header where the lad got sent off and we scored the penalty. He’s contributed very well and there’s more to come from him and all of the team in the remaining games this season. Both Ivan and Josh Morris had a go at practicing free-kicks on Friday, and it was nice to see him score. I’m sure there will be more competition on who’s going to take them in future!
ON THE SIX CHANGES…
NM: We’d had a couple of injuries, and I think the experience of Rory McArdle and Matt Gilks showed today. The balance of the team was really good, and the attacking football was exceptional in my opinion. I’ve only been here for five games so far, but that was the best attacking performance in that time. We opened them up with ease. If we keep doing that, and be more clinical, we’ll win lots of games.
ON DEBUTANT MARNICK VERMIJL...
NM: He did well, settled into his position, got on the ball and showed what he can do. He’ll only get stronger as he gets to know the team.
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