Nelson provides update ahead of Maidenhead home game

The Iron’s interim manager Michael Nelson has previewed this weekend's home fixture against Maidenhead United in the National League (3pm kick-off).

The boss started by looking ahead to Saturday’s game, saying: “We’re looking to build on some recent positive performances, even though we haven’t got the results that we wanted, I think the lads have shown commitment. Hopefully, we can add that final element to get the win that we’ve been searching for.

“I’m expecting it to be a tough game, they’re well organised, they carry a threat going forward, and they’re hard to beat, especially at set plays where we will have to try and match them physically. Hopefully, we can hurt them with the good attacking play that we’ve shown recently.”

Nelson then spoke about the recent run of fixtures, where the Iron have faced the teams in the top three over the last four games. He said: “The results haven’t been positive but the performances have. I think we’ve created some good chances and scored goals against teams who are right up there in the league. We’ve taken the lead on a few occasions as well so hopefully we can do that on Saturday.

“Hopefully we can go out there, be aggressive, and on the front foot from the start. If we take the lead then we need to build on it and not just try and hang on to it. We have to do the job and get the three points that we’re looking for.”

Nelson went on to speak about the reverse fixture with Maidenhead, which was a 3-2 loss in August and a game which he wasn’t involved in. He added: “People have spoken about the game and how it was a shock at the time. Hopefully, the lads who were involved in that game will have a want for revenge, and fire in their bellies. We need to go out and put a good performance on, and with that final bit we can get the three points.”

The boss then provided an update on Owen Foster (shoulder injury) and Reagan Ogle (thigh injury): “They’ve both trained fully on Thursday, and Reagan trained fully on Tuesday as well. They’re both back in contention to be in the matchday squad on Saturday.

“The way we are it’s important that we try and keep everyone fit. We’re unable to bring anyone in at the minute so we need to keep the lads who are in the building fit and available for selection so we have a good squad going into the weekend.”

On the return of Rob Apter to Blackpool at the end of his loan spell with us, Nelson said: “I spoke to him earlier in the week and he thanked us for the amount of game time that he’s had, and he wanted to thank Tony (Daws) as well. I told him that it had been a successful spell for him personally, for his development, and in terms of going forward. I hope he continues to develop and grow, and I’m sure he has a bright future in the game.”

Elliott Whitehouse has returned to the squad following the end of his month on loan at Spennymoor Town, and the boss also commented on this.

He said: “He’s on the back of an illness and he missed a few days of training due to this. He trained on Tuesday and again today, it looks like he’s showing no ill effects and he trained well, so he’s back in contention as well.”

Moreover, the boss then provided an update on Kgosi Ntlhe and Liam Feeney as well, adding: “Kgosi has been back involved partly, but hopefully next week he will be back into full-time training. Feeney has an appointment with a specialist a week on Monday, but he’s ahead of schedule and he’s showing a desire to be back fit to help the cause. He’s pleased where he is at the minute, so we’re looking at a couple of weeks before we get him back into full time training.”

Nelson then spoke about the importance of sticking together during this tough time. He said: “It was a great atmosphere on Boxing Day here and then on New Year's Day in Chesterfield as well where we had a great following, especially considering the circumstances. Hopefully, everyone who was here on Boxing Day or there on New Years Day saw the lads giving their all, and that we were just done by a better team on the day.

“The fans were brilliant and a large section stayed to clap the lads off the pitch. Hopefully, they can back us again because it is much appreciated by myself, the rest of the staff, and the players. It just shows what the club is about with the fan base and the community feel, so if we can keep that going strong then hopefully it’ll bode well for the future.”

See much more from Michael Nelson and Andrew Boyce on Iron Player.