Will Evans: Last week's win showed the character this group has

Defender Will Evans is aiming for an improved performance to go hand-in-hand with the result when the Iron meet Peterborough Sports at Glanford Park this weekend.

United recorded a 2-1 opening day win at Tamworth, but arguably took all the points against the run of play, with the hosts matching the Iron throughout the game.

Scunthorpe, however, came from behind to take maximum points, with Evans alluding to the character of the new group assembled by manager Jimmy Dean: “Obviously the game didn’t go to plan as such, in terms of the performance, but the result obviously showed the character that we’ve got. In a way, we’re glad how it went, because it was a reality check of what the league is going to be like. 

“It hit us straight on in the face, and I’m glad that we came out the other end with the three points, because it was massively important for us.

“They got promoted last season and this football club has been the opposite. We’re trying to change the mould of it, and hopefully we can build on that. It’s a good achievement for the lads and we’ve got to take every positive from the game that we can and build on it. As we saw on Saturday, it’s going to be a tough season and every team is going to bring their own threats and dangers.

“Everyone’s going to be on their “A” game against us. They’re not going to want us to come away with anything. It’s going to be like that every game, so we’ve just got to be prepared for it.”

In returning to home soil, United welcome the Turbines to Glanford Park, with gaffer Dean going head-to-head with the side he left to join the Iron in January.

Evans is keen to build on the opening day win and give the boss one over his former employers: “There’s going to be a little more added pressure as it is the gaffer’s old team. He’s going to want to set his stall down early and obviously get a win. It adds a little bit more to it, but we’ve got to go out there, do a job and get the three points.”

The defender, who was part of the best defensive record in the National League at Bromley last season, is happy with how his new unit at the back is developing, with only a limited number of goals conceded in the campaign to date, inclusive of the pre-season games.

“I think we’ve been very good,” he stated. 

“All over the pitch, we know our defensive duties and out of possession roles. If the forwards and midfielders are doing their jobs, it makes our lives easier. We’ve got a lot of competition for places as well. The players that didn’t come on or play at the weekend are more than capable of playing in a National League team. It’s vitally important that we stay on our game as well

“It’s been really good for me, I’ve really enjoyed it. The fans have come out in their numbers in pre-season. Even on Saturday at Tamworth, I felt like they were right behind us and we really felt that in the latter stages of the game. It pulled us through.”