Jimmy Dean: It’s a big fixture, and one we really have to be up for

First team manager Jimmy Dean previewed today’s Vanarama National League North clash against Chorley by labelling the Magpies as title rivals.

The fourth-placed outfit arrive at Glanford Park for the Iron’s first reverse fixture of the campaign following the 1-1 draw at Victory Park in September.

The Iron could be one game further on though, having had their midweek rearranged fixture at Blyth Spartans fall victim to a waterlogged pitch for the second time. Reflecting on that postponement, he began: “It’s a game we wanted to play. If we could’ve gone to Blyth and got a win, it would have put a bit of daylight between us and the teams behind us. 

“We used the postponement well, and had a good break. We got in on Tuesday and had a really physical session. It’s helped us rejuvenate and recuperate the players in what will be a difficult month.

“We take the positives from not playing the fixture. It’s given us a break ahead of a hectic schedule, and hopefully that will serve us well.”

Chorley have been in a rich vein of form following the reverse fixture earlier in the season, and are well placed in the play-offs heading into the second half of the season.

“I think they’re excellent,” he continued. 

“They’re unbeaten in eight, lost one in 10. They had an 8-0 victory a few weeks ago against Darlington, which shows how prolific they can be. They’ve got seven goals from set pieces and we’ve highlighted that in our pre-match to our players. Seven of their attacking corners against Buxton on Tuesday, they got free headers. They’re well-versed in blocks and do a lot of work on that.

“Will Evans got sent off off the back of a corner at their place, so they’re well-versed in the dark arts. They’ve got two great wingers and a big, solid target man. I think they’re excellent. 

“I can’t say it any better than what I said to the boys on Friday morning. If they were to beat us, and win their game in hand, they’re three points behind us, so we treat them like a title rival, and a promotion rival. It’s a big fixture, and one we really have to be up for.

“We can’t make the same mistakes we made that day (in the reverse fixture). It was a nothing day, we went 1-0 up and all we had to do was look after it. We gifted them a goal, Will got sent off, and it felt like a good point after that. Looking at their form since, and all things considered, it was a good point. We’ve got to look to take all three at home.”

Aussie right-back Reagan Ogle could come back into the squad following his recent injury lay-off, while the gaffer also issued updates on Alfie Beestin and Ross Barrows; the only three currently on the treatment table.

“Reagan Ogle is available for selection,” he stated. 

“For Alfie Beestin, we will probably look to get some minutes into him on Tuesday against Gainsborough, and Ross Barrows is progressing well. The week after next, hopefully, he will be back in full training.

“It was a naughty one on Ross. He’s a really determined boy, and we watched him to train today, and it’s quite inspirational to see someone who cares that much every day. Whatever advertise he gets put in front of him, he gets on with it, and that’s really testament to him and the environment we are trying to build here with these players.

“Alfie was rusty last week when he came back, and that’s why he wore the orange pants today. But I’ve got to say, I’ve watched him in training for the last couple of days and you really see what we’ve been missing. He’s an outstanding footballer. 

“We’ve just got to make sure now that he does the extra stuff to make sure these injuries are not reoccurring. He has to understand that he’s had three hamstring injuries now in the space of six or seven months. We’re really pushing on him to make sure we’re doing everything we can to make sure they don’t happen. If we can keep him fit, and if he can keep himself fit, the sky is the limit for him. He’s so talented.”

The game on home soil is the last before Christmas, and represents a first opportunity in the league to celebrate Glanford Park coming back into the ownership of the community, one of the main aims of Michelle Harness taking ownership of the football club.

“We’re top of the league, and it’s the first home league game since the owners bought the ground,” he added. 

“We’ve come through a really difficult time, not just in the now, but in the club’s history. I think that will always been remembered, how close the club went to nearly going out of business, not once but twice. We have to celebrate that, with a nice positive environment.

“The fans, when we haven’t been good at picking up wins, have stuck behind us. We have to embrace that and give them a performance on the pitch as well. We have to treat the game like it is - a top of the table clash, and treat the occasion like it is as well. We’ve got our ground back in Scunthorpe people’s hands, and it’s something to really look forward to.”