After netting a brace to aid the Iron through to the latest round of the Leasing.com Trophy, forward Lee Novak wants to help the team go one step further and make it to the last sixteen.
In triumphing against Sunderland in the third group stage match, United eliminated the Black Cats to set up the trip to the Seasiders, with Scunthorpe buoyed by back-to-back league wins.
“It was a good win (against Port Vale at the weekend),” Novak told iFollow Iron.
“We deserved it and it could’ve been by a few more goals as well. Their goalkeeper made a few good saves, but it was good to stay on the winning run, making it nine unbeaten at home.
“It would have been harsh to go in behind at half-time, but we managed to go in level and we said at half-time if we picked it up, we would dominate and we ended up doing that. As soon as the second half started right through to the finish, we did that. We probably should have had a few more goals.”
After stretching the team's run to five unbeaten in the league and nine undefeated games at home in all competitions, Novak spoke about the confidence in the camp ahead of visiting Blackpool on Wednesday.
“We’re very confident,” he stated.
“I’ve spoken about it before, even when we were getting beaten, we were still a confident bunch. We were confident things would turn and hopefully now they are starting to turn. We are starting to climb the table now and hopefully we can keep doing that and get to where we want to be.”
With no league action for a fortnight, there’s a 10-day gap until their next fixture against Forest Green Rovers. With full focus on trying to progress, the Blackpool encounter gives the Iron another opportunity to lock horns with League One opposition.
“It’s going to be a very tough game, like it was against Sunderland a couple of weeks ago,” he continued.
“They’ve got a very strong squad and are going for promotion themselves in their league. It’ll be a hard game. Even if they make changes, they will be a strong. A lot of us have played in League One and higher and it’s a cup match against a League One team, but hopefully we can go there and put on a similar performance.
“We go to Blackpool to play our game. We’ve got an honest bunch and every Sunday and Monday there are tired bodies in the building and that just shows how hard we are working.
“We had to work hard to turn things round. The manager and us as lads have spoken about it, we have to leave everything out on the pitch and hopefully it’s enough and in the last few games it has been.”
On a personal note, the Geordie has netted five times since returning from his injury, tallying six for the season so far. He’s been one of the constants in Paul Hurst’s team selection since the ankle problem and is adamant he won’t be giving up his place without a fight.
“It’s been good. I’ve been getting back up to speed after my long injury. I’m enjoying my football and I know if I don’t keep playing well, I will be out of the team, so I’ve just got to keep going,” he added.
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