First team manager Neil Cox takes his side to Colchester United on Friday as the Iron search for three wins in a row for the first time in 14 months.
Two home victories against Grimsby Town and Port Vale have added six valuable points to United’s tally and they face a U’s side who are without a three point success since they beat Scunthorpe in the reverse fixture last month.
“We’re looking forward to it. It’s another good test for us away from home,” he said, speaking to iFollow Iron.
“We played really well against them at home but were beaten 1-0. We’re hoping for a similar performance, but a different result. They need some points if they want to push towards the top seven and get towards the play-offs and we’re looking to get three points to push ourselves up the table.
“It’s about performances - defending really well like we have in the last couple of games and attacking with a bit of pace and power and trying to create opportunities.”
The United boss is expecting a different test from the U’s though, who look to play a different style of football and will be looking for their first victory in nine games - although they have drawn four out of those eight without a win.
“I think it’ll be a different sort of game,” he stated.
“They play a certain way - open, expansive and attractive football. It’s really nice on the eye to watch, so we will have to make sure we’re switched on. Earlier on in the season I thought they were one of the better footballing sides and I still think that.”
Cox has a balancing act going into this one, taking into consideration the exertions of the players in the previous two games, the thoughts of not wanting to change a winning side too much, along with there being no midweek fixture next week.
“There are going a lot of tired bodies, playing three games in six days,” he continued.
“It’s going to be about who wants it more on the night and who takes that opportunity. We’re still in a difficult position and need to carry on picking points up. If we can get three points on the road, making it three wins in a row, it would bring a lot more confidence and get us right up the table.
“Everyone managed to get through the game in midweek. We go again with the same squad, but I don’t name the side until Friday. We have a free week next week and a bigger training group next week. Players are wary that the experienced lads are getting fitter, so the standard of training has gone up as they want to keep their place.”
While they won’t be available to make the long trip south, Harrison McGahey and Kevin van Veen will also be close to contention the next time United play at home, as they complete a full week of training this week.
Jordan Clarke will also miss out with a torn thigh muscle sustained against Grimsby Town last weekend and is set to be on the sidelines for a month.
“They (Harrison and Kevin) have been in full training this week and they will do the same next week,” he added.
“We will have to wait until the Oldham game next week and see how they are for that. We also have to see how the boys do tomorrow night because if we win three games in a row, it would be difficult to change a winning squad.
“We are also trying to bring in a couple of new faces before the end of the window and everyone knows that, but they have to be the right character, not just the right player. It has to be someone who will push us forward.”
See much more from Neil Cox on iFollow Iron. Click here to get your match pass for the away game at Colchester United.