Jimmy Dean expects a different test from Farsley

Having had the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, United boss Jimmy Dean previewed a quick turnaround to face Farsley Celtic on Saturday.

With a 2-0 triumph over the Celts on home soil, Dean takes his side to their own back yard as they look to avenge for the defeat which saw Jason Law and Danny Whitehall both net.

“I think it’s going to be a different game,” he stated. 

“Farsley will probably be a little bit more aggressive with their approach, being at home. It’s going to be a really difficult surface to play on, but it’s one we know about, and it’s one we’ve prepared for.”

The Iron are nearly a clean bill of health going into the encounter, with the only absentees Ross Barrows and Callum Roberts nearing contention once more.

“Ross Barrows is back in full contact training now, and Cal Roberts is close,” he added. 

“Ross is a really professional boy and does all the right things at the right time. He’s an example for anyone in football.”

Scunthorpe end the calendar year in good form following a change of ownership, with the 12 games since yielding 29 points. Dean continued by reeling off the the side’s current progress.

“In the last 12 in the league, we’ve won nine, drawn two and lost one, since Michelle came in,” he continued. 

“We’ve got the best goal difference in the top seven levels in the country. We’ve had eight clean sheets in those two league games. We’ve done really well, and put ourselves in a good position. Tamworth are in a good position too, they’ve done remarkably well. They lost them three games, and bounced back.

“We’re keeping each other honest, and we’ve got some really difficult fixtures coming up in the next month, starting tomorrow. We just have to worry about us, make sure we’re ready, switched on, and hopefully the rest will look after itself.

“At the minute, they’re keeping the pressure on us, and I’d like to think we’re keeping the pressure on them. Any point is vital, and every goal is vital at the minute, with us being top on goal difference. It’s a really good race at the minute, and there are some good teams behind us.

“You only have to look at how the players have kicked on since she came in. People don’t realise that footballers are just like everyone else - they need to know the pay cheque is coming in to put food on the table for their kids. They rely on that happening. Michelle and the Board have done a fantastic job, and even paid everyone early for Christmas, which was fantastic for the players. They’re giving us the foundation and a footing that helps us perform well, and we have done.”

With over 1,600 tickets sold for the game, and Farsley’s average attendance sitting at around 500, there’s sure to be over 1,000 Iron supporters in attendance to see out the calendar year.

“Scunthorpe United is coming to town again. We get another fantastic turnout. I’m going to be cheeky and ask to make sure that we can hear you because this is a really difficult place to go. 

“You look at the differences after half-time at Glanford Park. The performance raises with them. When times are tough, they’ve carried us through. We really want to get on a crest of a wave at Farsley. We’re going to outnumber them probably two-to-one in terms of fans, so we have to make sure we make that count.

“I certainly think, we’re better off when they’re all together and they’re noisy. It certainly helps me and the players.”