After arriving at the club early last week to work alongside caretaker manager Andy Dawson, former Hull City player and manager Nick Barmby is enjoying life across the Humber Bridge.
Speaking to iFollow Iron for the first time, the former England international striker, who scored over 100 career goals for the likes of Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool, reflected on his opening week at Glanford Park.
“It’s been really good and it hasn’t surprised me,” he said.
“It’s always struck me as a really good club looking in from the outset. It’s a really well run club full of good people.
"I’ve loved the week I’ve been in - obviously it didn’t go for us result-wise last weekend, but we learn from that and move on to Saturday.”
Barmby ended his playing career with the Tigers, spending eight years at the KC Stadium between 2004 and 2012.
He first played alongside Dawson before ending up as manager of the side in 2011-12.
He spoke about his relationship with United’s caretaker manager, which lead to him arriving at the club last week.
“We roomed together for eight or nine years and we always talked about football,” he continued.
“I first remember seeing Andy play at the KC Stadium in League Two and the first time I watched Hull he was the only player that stood out for me as a proper footballer. When I signed for the club the following season, I got to play with Daws and to see his rise through all the divisions, getting better as he progressed through them.
“He’s a great professional and off the pitch he’s a very, very good person. I knew Daws was always going to be a coach. He’s been here for a few years now and he’s coached the youth team and first team, so he knows the ropes. He loves this club.”
As a prolific forward during his 21-year professional playing career, there’s no surprise that Barmby has been working with the Iron’s attacking players in his opening week at the club and hopes that his experience will allow those players to improve themselves.
“I think I can give another perspective,” he stated.
“It’s another set of eyes and hopefully add to the coaches that are already here and really want Scunny to do well.
“I will probably be working with the forwards more, which is what I’ve been doing throughout my career. If you can add that little bit more to what’s already here then it’s a positive.
“The lads have been brilliant in training, both last week and this week. They’ve got over the defeat, which we have to do, and they’ve been really forthcoming to everything that’s been thrown at them.”
Arriving at the club with just seven games to go can be deemed as jumping into the deep end, but Barmby was eager to come on board and work with the existing staff to get points on the board.
“It’s a challenge and that’s what you’re in football for,” he said.
“Ultimately, you want to be up there and challenging, but we’re all in this situation so we’ve got to roll out sleeves up and do the right things. Everyone is working hard, we just need to stick together and get as many wins as possible between now and the end of the season.
“Shrewsbury will be a tough game, but the players have been really good this week, so we’re all looking forward to it.”
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