Dean: It's been upbeat and positive

Iron first team manager Jimmy Dean has provided an update on the squad ahead of Saturday's trip to face Boreham Wood.

The boss started by discussing how matters have been since Tuesday's narrow defeat to Wrexham, saying: “It’s upbeat and positive and I think the atmosphere around the place is starting to settle now with everyone getting to know each other. We’re starting to get a bit out of them and it’s good to see."

The games are coming thick and fast, and Jimmy spoke about the importance of the Iron’s busy run in. He said: “It’s the league, there are 46 games, and there’s going to be brutal periods. We want games, we want continuity, and we want football. The challenge is there, and we know it’s tough, but there’s nothing which is making me look at this and feel put back or scared.”

He added: “The level at the club is good and the boys who’ve come in have added to what we’ve got here. There’s competition everywhere and there are ideas off the pitch coming from everyone. It’s a really good environment and it’s enjoyable to be involved in.” 

The boss then provided an update on the team news, saying: “Danny Elliott isn’t available to play due to part of the transfer agreement between the clubs. It’s an opportunity for someone else though. Gerry McDonagh has one start and one goal so that offers him an opportunity to come back in and take his shirt back.” 

He went on to elaborate on McDonagh, adding: “He’s fully fit, he’s come through the week's training, and he obviously came on against Wrexham as well. It’s why you need a couple of centre forwards if you’re playing with one, and they’re both different. Gerry is a handful. I’ve just watched him again and he’s given our centre halves a tough one and they’re big boys. I’m looking forward to seeing him get going and I’ve got a real positivity about the boy.” 

On what to expect from Boreham Wood, the Iron boss said: “They’re big and physical, and they’ll try to manage the game to their tempo to turn it quickly. In their last game they had 28 entries from long throws so that’s what we’re expecting. First and second balls are going to be important and we need to earn the right to play.”

He continued: “I don’t see them changing what they do and I think the manager is quite happy with what he does. They’re doing well in the league and they’re another side in and around the playoffs. It’s another difficult challenge away. We’ve won one away game in a year so we have to try and break that.”

To conclude, he said: “I thought for large parts we were excellent the other night against Wrexham, I didn’t want to say too much after the game as I hadn’t watched it back, but having done so I think we controlled large patches of the game with the ball. We worked hard and tirelessly off the ball too and it’s what we have to try and do again.”

See more from Jimmy Dean and Tom Pugh on Iron Player.