Davis: We've got to crack on and be professional

Iron captain Harry Davis is fully focused on the side’s Emirates FA Cup clash against local rivals Doncaster Rovers at the weekend.

The 30-year-old reflected on a difficult week in the build-up with a strong sense of disappointment following the departure of Neil Cox and Mark Lillis on Monday.

Speaking to iFollow Iron, he said: “It was a little bit of a shock for everyone. It’s been a tough couple of days. All we can do is concentrate on what we can affect, and that’s training well and preparing well for Saturday.

“I’m gutted, absolutely gutted. We feel like we’ve let two really good men down, and it’s really difficult speaking about it. We take responsibility for that - performances and results haven’t been good enough. Both had the club at heart. Both had a lot of affection and a connection to the club. I wish them all the best, and I’ll keep in touch with both of them I’m sure.

“We’ve got to crack on and be professional, and work hard to try and turn results around. It’s always difficult, it’s never a nice thing, but it’s part of football and it happens. We’ve just got to knuckle down and be professional."

Attentions turn to the next game, with Rovers the visitors to the Sands Venue Stadium twice in the space of three days.

The first of those fixtures gives both teams the opportunity to put their league form to one side and progress to the second round of the oldest national football competition in the world, now in its 150th year.

“It’s a great game for us,” he continued. 

“The pressure is all on them, with them being a league higher. It’s a game that can kickstart our season if we get a positive result. We can look to try and take the game to them and have a really good go. Hopefully that gets the fans behind us.

“Everyone will get an opportunity. Macca (Tony McMahon) will pick a team that he feels will win the game, and that could be lads who haven’t been playing that feel they should. It’s a chance for everyone to show what they can do, and stake their claim.

“The fans always play an important part, and at the same time we’ve got to give them something to shout about.”

See much more from Harry Davis and Tony McMahon on iFollow Iron.