After three weeks without playing a full match, following postponed or abandoned games due to bad weather, following recent good form, spirits remain high as United look forward to this weekend’s home League Two encounter.
Talking about the time without playing, he said: “Everyone knows it’s not ideal - I think it’s been a good bit of time to get some hard work in. It’s going to be Saturday and Tuesdays now for nearly the rest of the season. I think we’ve just tried to get the positives out of it and it’s given us time to go forward as a team.
“It’s given most of the boys’ time to get fitter, even those who were injured, and they’re now ready to be up for selection. With me, I think it’s given me some rest and recovery because I was nursing a few little knocks and bruises. I’m feeling good now and ready for the game.”
The Iron's last home game was abandoned against Bradford due to heavy snow, and Loft said: “When we finally got the game on against Bradford we were buzzing because at the time it was two weeks without a game and then 30 minutes in, we had to call it off, so everyone’s just looking forward to getting a game again.
“It was difficult in the Bradford game, even with the yellow ball when they brought that on. It was still tough to see; I think it was more the surface and it was getting unsafe in terms of how thick the snow was and gripping onto it. It was the right decision to call it off.
“As we kicked off it was the best the pitch had been in a long time but 20 minutes in, it was a different story. It’s just one of those things but it has affected the whole league.”
United had three wins in three games before the break, in which Loft scored three goals, and he said: “It was a bit of a slow start to the season but I think I’ve found a little bit of form and had a bit of luck - going forward I’m hopeful I can carry that on.”
Loft has recently been nominated for PFA League Two Player of the Month, and he said: “It was good. I didn’t know about it until a few of the boys were telling me but it’s nice to get recognised - even if you don’t win it in the end, it’s still good to be put up for selection.”
Looking ahead to playing Harrogate on Saturday at home, who United defeated 5-2 away earlier this season, he said: “It’s going to be a tough one but last time we played them I think we were coming off a bit of a bad run. We did end up happy as we managed to score five goals against them.
“I think this game is going to be a little bit closer as they’ve been on a good run of form, but we’re also coming off a good run of form. I’m hopeful we can get the win.”
See much more from Ryan Loft on iFollow Iron. Click here to get your iFollow match pass for the game against Harrogate.
