“We showed both sides of the game in terms of what you need to do to win matches and be successful,” said Iron manager Paul Hurst following the 2-0 home pre-season friendly victory over Lincoln City.
Adam Hammill and Regan Slater both scored during the first team’s final warm-up game ahead of the new League Two campaign.
Hurst told iFollow Iron: “Dundee aside, because I’m not sure what the expectations were beforehand, every other result has gone the way people would have expected. Albeit, we were on home soil, today we faced a team who are in a higher division now having won the league in style last season, so maybe we weren’t favourites today. However, we deserved the victory overall. We had to defend properly and keep organised in the second-half especially, where they had quite a bit of the ball but didn’t force Jake (Eastwood) into too many saves.
“In the first half particular I felt we played some really good football and looked a threat. There were 10 minutes where I felt both teams were guilty of turning the ball over too quickly, but once we got into the game we showed some of the signs and passages of play that we’d like to see on a regular basis. It’s pleasing, and always good to keep a clean sheet. Overall, it’s a good afternoon’s work.
“I know the players will be happy that they’re almost there now (in terms of completing pre-season) with the league season starting on Saturday against Swindon, and they can be pleased overall with what we’ve done. Naturally, some bits have been better than others, but the players have been committed and tried to carry out what we’ve asked of them. I don’t think we’re anywhere close to where we can get to yet, but I think (we can do) in time. There have been some encouraging spells, and we certainly had one of those in the first-half, so bring the season on and let’s see what we can do.”
Slater made his first appearance for the club after the deal to bring him to the club on a season-long loan from Sheffield United was concluded late on Friday afternoon, before being ratified by the EFL on Saturday lunchtime.
“I thought he fitted in great,” Hurst explained. “We didn’t have the chance to work with him on the training ground on Friday. He had to take a few instructions on board regarding tactics. He showed composure, good feet and a nice finish (for his goal), which was the icing on the cake for him really.”
Hurst also explained why there were alterations from the side that won 4-1 against Alfreton Town in a friendly on Tuesday night, adding: “I’ve got a squad to work with. I could have made more changes but the ones I did make were for genuine reasons and things I wanted to look at. Now I’ve got a week to contemplate and decide exactly what I want to do. We’ve started looking at Swindon already, we’ll watch their game from Saturday and then figure out what to go with. I think I’ve got a large part of the team in my mind, but there are probably a couple of decisions still to make.”
Jordan Clarke came off after suffering a cut to the head, but Hurst says he should be fine for the season start. Meanwhile, Hurst explained more about the injury picked up by Lewis Butroid in the Under-23 side’s 6-1 win over Winterton Rangers on Friday evening.
Hurst added: “I haven’t seen the cut but Michael (McBride, head of medical services) has looked at Jordan. It was a brave header and the main thing is he wasn’t knocked out or anything. I’m sure he’ll be fine.
“Lewis isn’t looking great in all honesty. He managed to play on for 30 minutes after he got the injury, but today he’s sore so he’s got a boot on. He’s on crutches currently, but I need to speak to Michael. It wouldn’t surprise me if he needs a scan and x-ray to assess it, and diagnose exactly what it is.”
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