Michael Nelson speaks ahead of Boxing Day encounter

Michael Nelson, the Iron’s interim manager, previews Boxing Day’s match against Chesterfield.

The boss started by talking about the double header against Chesterfield: "It’s a good thing from an analysis perspective as it’s less work for us to do. It’ll be a good thing if we go out there and get the results, hopefully we can put in two good performances and get two good results." 

"They’re a good team, they like to knock it around. They’re doing well and competing at the top with Wrexham and Notts County. It’ll be two tough games, but the first ones at home so hopefully we can start well and get a good result."

Chesterfield were also defeated in their Isuzu FA Trophy tie, suffering a loss to Coalville Town, but Nelson isn’t reading too much into that result: "They made a lot of changes, and I think it will be a complete different lineup come Boxing Day.

"They’ve got a lot of strength in depth in their squad which is why they’re up where they are. We expect them to field a different team, but the style and shape we expect to be similar."

Following the midweek game at Wrexham for the Iron, the gaffer continued by giving a fitness update ahead of Boxing Day: "Pretty much everyone came out the game fine," he stated.

"There were a couple of knocks and bumps, but not too bad. (Andrew) Boyce is back today. He didn’t train with the group but he did a bit in the gym so hopefully he’ll be ready. Marcus Carver trained fully today and there were no issues so he seems fine. Reagan (Ogle) didn’t train so he will be touch and go for the Boxing Day game.” 

Nelson then spoke about Jordan Hallam: “He played 45 (on Tuesday) which was his first match minutes. We took him to Wrexham to get him in and around the group, into a match day warm up (which didn’t happen because of the circumstances), and to watch the game from the bench rather than the stands.

"It was a positive and we will just try to keep progressing Jordan as we go, and hopefully we will be able to integrate him back into match day squads along the way.” 

The boss then spoke about the importance of home support in the Boxing Day fixture: "You generally get good crowds on Boxing Day, so I’m sure they’ll bring good numbers and we will bring a good amount ourselves. Hopefully, everyone gets behind the team.

"Everyone knows the problems that the club has gone through in recent times, but it’s important that everyone sticks together. The players have to go out and give a good account of themselves, and show the desire and commitment that they showed in the Wrexham game and the Yeovil game. Hopefully, that will feed into the crowd, they’ll get behind the lads, and back them all the way.

"No one apart from the owner and potential new owners can control whether the takeover happens or not. The players can’t control it, the fans can’t control it. All that the fans can control is their support to the players, and all the players can control is their performance on the pitch.” 

"We will take care of our part, and I’m sure the fans will do their part, as they have in the past. If everyone pulls together in the right direction then hopefully the outcome will be positive."