Daws talks preparations for Boreham Wood encounter

Interim first team manager Tony Daws has previewed United’s Vanarama National League game against Boreham Wood this Saturday (3pm kick-off), which is set to see he, goalkeeping coach Paul Musselwhite and former Iron defender Michael Nelson take charge of the team following the departure of Keith Hill and Tony McMahon earlier in the week.

Summarising on his first day on Thursday, he said: “It’s been very busy, hectic, enjoyable. We’ve been trying to cram a lot into the hours we have. I’ve enjoyed it so far."

Talking about training, which he took for the first time on Thursday, he said: “The players were good, they were bright. We had a chat with them and they were very receptive with what we said to them. 

“We tried to make it hard, but it was good fun for them as well and they've said they enjoyed it.”

Ex-Iron centre-back Nelson joined up with Daws on Thursday, after most recently being the assistant manager at League Two side Hartlepool United.

Speaking on that incoming to help assist him, Daws said: “Nels is great. He’s the most enthusiastic person you’ll meet, he wants to do everything. 

“He’s going to be somebody who is good for me to work with and lean on. He’s got lots of experience of non-league, he was the manager of Blyth Spartans as well, so I think he’ll be good for us.”

Goalkeeper coach Musselwhite too will look to aid Daws, revealing: “He knows all the players and has been a good source of information, support and help."

Looking ahead to the challenge, and his first game at Glanford Park on Saturday, he said: “It’s a difficult game and all we can ask the players to do is to play in the way we’re going to play. Give 100%, which I think is all we can ask and is what the supporters want to see.

“We know what we’re doing with shape, formation, tactics and how we’re going to play in and out of possession.”

Discussing whether an overall duration period has been set for Daws as interim boss, he revealed: “No. I spoke to Lee (Turnbull, Chief Operating Officer) the other day, we were trying on Wednesday to get Nels in to assist and that’s happened. 

“I was watching a lot of videos on Wednesday of games the first team have played this season and it’s been hectic. There’s not been a lot of time for meetings and conversations, so I think it’s just a case of get on with it and see where we go.”

Delving deeper into Saturday’s opposition, he said: “We’ve had a look at them. They’ve obviously a good side and have been a good side for a number of seasons now, being there or there abouts trying to get promotion from the National League, and they did well again last season so it’s going to be tough. 

“We’ve had a look at their shape, in terms of how they play and what they’re going to do so we can stop them from playing but for me it’s about us. 

“It’s about us being on the front foot and taking the game to them. We’re at home, we’re going to have 3,000 Scunthorpe fans behind us, which they always are.

“It’s been difficult for the fans as a period in the club’s history at the moment, but one thing they have been is supportive. They get behind the team.

“They just want to see a team of players who work hard, have pride for the shirt, and have a go and we’re going to try give them that on Saturday.”

See more from Tony Daws on Iron Player.