Iron forward Kevin van Veen says it’s important the hard work is continued as his side prepare to take on Blackpool away in the Leasing.com Trophy second round on Wednesday night.
United head into the clash with the Seasiders on the back of three successive victories in all competitions, with the most recent coming at home to Port Vale on Tuesday when Scunthorpe ran out convincing 2-1 winners.
Van Veen, who scored United’s equalising goal in the first-half of that game, said: “It was a very good win, especially after going 1-0 behind. It showed great character from the lads to come back and it was a really good second-half from us. We could have scored more but we’ll take the three points.
“Recently we’ve been very good and there was only one game really where we were sloppy and that was Crawley (away in the FA Cup). We’ve been strong at home and it was great character to come back from 1-0 behind and get the result in the way we did.
“There were a lot of shots in the second-half that their goalkeeper saved, while he also stopped a free-kick of mine in the first-half, and we tested him with the corners so full credit to him for his performance, but we’ll take the three points.”
Speaking of playing in a slightly tweaked position behind Lee Novak, the Dutchman, who has scored seven goals in all competitions this season, continued: “I’m playing a different role at the moment. I’m happy to score but still happy to assist too, and work hard for the team. Recently I’ve been doing that and have been rewarded by being in the starting eleven, so I just need to keep that up and do as well as I can for the team.
“It’s deeper and less around the box, but I can still get forward. Without the ball I need to come back for the team and help them out, and it’s working. I’m enjoying playing it and we just need to keep up what we’re doing.”
Looking ahead of the clash against Simon Grayson’s men on Wednesday evening, he added: “It will be tough. Blackpool are a very good side, they’ve been doing well and are in League One, which is a division higher. It’ll be a tough game but we showed against Sunderland that we don’t need to be scared to go there. We have a lot of quality ourselves and just need to play our game.
“We’re all confident and it’s been very good recently. We just have to make sure we keep getting the same performances from ourselves every single game, and I think we’ll do well.”
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