First team manager Neil Cox is looking forward to the latest #DerbyDay fixture, with Grimsby Town arriving at the Sands Venue this Saturday (1pm kick-off) as his side’s latest test.
Scunthorpe return to home soil for only the second time this calendar year after being edged out by high-flying Salford City last time out.
“We’re looking forward to it and it’s probably the biggest derby game we’ve had in a long time,” he said, speaking to iFollow Iron.
“Both clubs are at the wrong end of the table so there are three massive points up for grabs.”
The side were edged out by a Mattie Pollock goal from a set-piece last month as the Mariners took maximum points, with the Iron boss looking to right the wrongs from that game in the latest meeting between the two teams.
“We will definitely be a different side - the way we react and the way we’re going to battle,” he continued.
“We’re going to fight and play forward and have a little bit more quality. We want to be really positive in the way that we play our game. The first 20 minutes are always important in local derbies, and I think (last month) they got their foot into us a little early. We wanted to pass the ball, but they won a lot of second balls and won a lot of territory and scored from a set play.
“We have to make sure we’re on it, with smiles on our faces. It’s a big challenge for this football club. My players and myself are under pressure, but we’ve got to go out with smiles on our faces and really enjoy this challenge because I believe if we can enjoy this challenge, we will be better off.”
Junior Brown will be one definite absentee after he was sent off for two cautionable offences away at Barrow last weekend while the United manager also touched on the team news surrounding the match, along with a new inclusion in the squad.
“We’ve got one or two knocks and bruises,” he stated.
“We are still waiting to see the full extent of Harrison (McGahey’s hamstring injury). It doesn’t like he’s going to make it. I’m not 100 per cent that Lofty (Ryan Loft) will make it either. He’s been struggling with a sore back for three weeks now, so we have to be careful with him. John McAtee is also a doubt with a dead leg.
“Manny (Onariase) got through fine. He’s trained all week, which we knew he would. We got him through 45 minutes last weekend, which is good for him. Defensively, we look strong.
“Joey Dawson comes into the squad - a young lad from the academy who has done really well. He’s played for the Under-23s and done really well. He looks a good footballer. He’s trained with the first team for the last two weeks and he hasn’t looked out of place. It’s just all about timing with him.
“Jordy Hallam got through 75 minutes in that game too, which is good. He’s still a bit off and has to play some more minutes.
“Kev (van Veen) is a good couple of weeks away. The main thing is he’s working hard on the training ground and he’s looking fitter and stronger.”
See much more from Neil Cox on iFollow Iron. Click here to get your match pass for our home #DerbyDay encounter against Grimsby Town.