Post-Rochdale thoughts from McMahon

Assistant manager Tony McMahon gave his reaction to Iron Player, following the Rochdale friendly, which saw Liam Feeney net again in pre-season.

Summing up the game, McMahon said: “We got exactly out the game what we wanted, barring the result obviously. 

“Fitness wise, we are where we are. We have three games to go, and that’s what it’s all about. It was always going to be tough, with the weather and heat but I thought the players were really good and stood up to the challenge.

“We’ve got to get the body used to playing 90 minutes of football and we’ll do that over the next three games. We have three good games ahead still.

“We know probably, as it stands, our starting eleven. Other lads have to stand up to the challenge now, keep pushing and keep getting fitter. We’re aiming for success, that’s what it’s all about.”

The Iron had to endure unprecedented temperatures against Rochdale, which McMahon believes will do the players good in the long run.

“After 60-70 minutes it becomes a challenge, and that’s what pre-season games are all about,” he started.

“Mentally you start getting tired, you start making wrong decisions, and you have to go through the mental barrier of playing 90 minutes of football and knowing psychologically you can do it."

“The lads will have benefited from that tonight,” he finished.

Speaking about the arrival of experienced midfielder Jacob Butterfield, who signed for the Iron on Monday, he said: “We know Jacob’s quality as a footballer. 

“He’s got both feet, he can pass a ball, and he’s the managers type of player. He can get things started. He makes us tick by hitting them diagonal passes which are massive in football these days. 

“We’re buzzing we got it over the line.”

See more from Tony McMahon and Dan Gallimore on Iron Player.