Leicester loanee George Thomas is looking forward to the prospect of facing his former club Coventry City on Saturday at Glanford Park, as the Iron gear up to go in search of their third league win in a row, following back-to-back successes against Wycombe and Peterborough.
Thomas spent 13 years with the Sky Blues, rising through the ranks at the Ricoh Arena as a young footballer, before leaving for Premier League side Leicester City in 2017, and the attacker has fond memories from his time with the club.
Speaking to iFollow Iron ahead of the clash, the 21-year-old said: “I’ve got really good memories with them. I spent a long time there, but hopefully I can do well for Scunthorpe tomorrow.”
As a player who knows the opposition well, Thomas expects the Sky Blues to provide another difficult challenge for Scunthorpe. However, he feels if the Iron hit the same heights set in the last couple of weeks, they will get a positive result come the final whistle on Saturday afternoon.
He went on to say: “They are also a team that have won their last couple of games. As a result, they will be a bit like us, feeling good, but hopefully we can concentrate on ourselves and play well to get the result.”
Having beaten Wycombe 1-0 and Peterborough 2-0 in the last week, the attacker believes the confidence level in the Iron dressing room is high following two important victories.
Thomas added: “The atmosphere in the changing room has been really good. Everyone has been happy with the performances and we are delighted with the results. Now we are all looking forward to tomorrow.”
Prior to Christmas, Scunthorpe found themselves on a tough run after seven losses in a row. However, the positivity around Glanford Park is back and buzzing ahead of the Coventry clash this weekend.
The 21-year-old stated: “Even before these last two wins, I thought the performances were getting better.
“We were creating more chances and giving decent teams good games. We were just a little bit unlucky with the results. I’m feeling good that we can get a few more points in the next couple of weeks to climb the table a bit.
“We’ve got to take each game as it comes, starting tomorrow at home to Coventry and hopefully we can play well, get the result and see where it takes us.”
The Iron have made five signings this week, with the introductions of Kevin van Veen, Tony McMahon, Adam Hammill, Byron Webster and Harrison McGahey to the squad, and Thomas believes the new additions will help improve the group.
Speaking about the acquisitions, Thomas said: “It’s getting a big dressing room now with a lot of players, but that’s what we need, especially with the luck we have been getting with injuries throughout the squad during the season. We’ve had some experienced heads coming in over the last couple of days and they will definitely help the team.”
He also believes the competition for places in the squad can only be a good thing for the Iron and continued by saying: “It’s always a good thing to have competition for places."
However, following a fantastic performance on New Year’s Day in that 2-0 victory over Peterborough at the Abax Stadium, Thomas will be hoping he can nail down a spot in Stuart McCall’s starting eleven.
Many fans believed the Leicester loanee played his best game so far in the colours of claret and blue.
Thomas added: “It’s definitely been one of my better performances. Every game I go out there and try to do my best for the team, so we can get a good result.
“In the game, I had a few shots and put myself out there by creating some chances as well. Hopefully, I can continue to do that for the rest of the season.”
Having spent the majority of matches out on the wing, the attacker was moved to a more free role, sitting behind the strikers in the win against Peterborough and Thomas enjoyed the freedom that came with playing in that position.
He stated: “I enjoyed playing in the number ten role especially behind the two strikers. I don’t know what we are going to do this weekend, but I definitely enjoyed playing the role I did against Peterborough. However, I don’t mind playing off the wings or wherever the manager puts me, as long as I can help the team.”
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